Minnesota Vikings rule out Chris Cook, Jamarca Sanford

Minnesota Vikings safety Jamarca Sanford (33) reacts after giving up a touchdown during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings look hobbled in the secondary going into Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the Vikings have ruled out veteran cornerback Chris Cook and 28-year-old strong safety Jamarca Sanford. Cook left last week’s loss to the Cleveland Browns with a groin injury, and he was initially expected to play against the Steelers. However, things changed as the week went on, and I wonder if playing in London also had to do with the Vikings decision to rule Cook out. Probably not, because Cook wasn’t able to practice at all this week, and his injury is more severe than expected.

Cook’s injury is a sizeable blow to the Vikings pass defense, which is bad to begin with. Now, the Minnesota Vikings have just three active cornerbacks, and that lack of depth is going to hurt against a Pittsburgh Steelers passing attack that has plenty of potential with Ben Roethlisberger, Antonio Brown, Emmanuel Sanders, and deep threat rookie Markus Wheaton. Brown absolutely went off against the Chicago Bears last week, and you can only imagine what he is capable of against a hobbled Vikings defense.

Jamarca Sanford is out with a hamstring injury, and he also sustained his injury against the Browns in Week 3. Andrew Sendejo will start for Sanford, and we’ll see a noticable drop-off even though Sanford is a liability in coverage.

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