NFL Notebook, Week 1: Action Jackson, Dalvin Cook is back, awards and more
By Zach Cohen
Cooking Up A Storm
He’s back, baby. After missing 17 games in the past two seasons, Vikings’ running back Dalvin Cook exploded for 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
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The third-year running back has already shown us how he talented is; he led the league in rushing his rookie year before tearing his ACL in Week Four. Even last season, he ran for 136 yards and two scores in Week Fourteen.
I was a big fan of Cook’s this season, with an asterisk. Health is obviously Cook’s biggest obstacle. Just look at his medical sheet, per sportsinjurypredictor.com.
- March 2014 – Shoulder Labrum Tear
- October 2015 – Ankle Sprain
- March 2016 – Shoulder Labrum Tear
- October 2017 – ACL Tear
- September 2018 – Hamstring Strain
Some guys are just prone to injuries, I get that. However, Cook’s upside is so high it’s hard not to bet on his success.
Not only is he ultra-talented, but Minnesota features a run-heavy offense. Evidently, Cook saw 23 touches on Sunday, the third-most in football. The bottom line is, if Cook can stay healthy, he can be a top-five running back in the NFL (and in fantasy, for those that care about such things).