Dalvin Cook’s stock is rising after the Minnesota Vikings placed veteran running back Latavius Murray on the PUP list to open training camp.
.@LataviusM and Shaan Washington have been placed on Active/PUP and @sharriffloyd on Active/NFI.
📰: https://t.co/M7keZ9C4R0 pic.twitter.com/HbOSSqztVR
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 24, 2017
Now, this doesn’t mean Murray won’t still be a big part of what Minnesota does offensively in 2017. But every rep Cook takes as a rookie out of FSU puts him one step closer to securing a role as the team’s starting running back.
Murray has been out of commission all offseason. He underwent ankle surgery back in March (was supposedly going to be healthy for training camp) and has yet to take a single rep in practice as he’s been stuck rehabbing the injury. Both he and Cook are newbies in Pat Shurmer’s offense, so their on equal footing as far as that goes.
Furthermore, it’s already been reported that Cook will likely start while Murray takes over as the team’s short-yardage and goal-line back.
In terms of all-around talent, there’s no doubt the Florida State product has an edge over his veteran counterpart. Blessed with breakaway speed and the power to make tough yardage in between the tackles, Cook could be setting himself up for a dominant rookie season.
Every practice that Murray misses is one more reason to believe Cook is going to be the lead back in Minnesota this year — something we’re getting more and more comfortable embracing as reality.