It's crunch time, y'all. In most fantasy leagues, Week 14 brings with it the conclusion of the regular season...
Report: Injured Dalvin Cook to Play for Vikings vs. Steelers Despite Shoulder Injury
Dec 9, 2021
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 28: Dalvin Cook #33 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook reportedly will be in the lineup Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Cook will play with a brace on his injured shoulder.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Cook is trending toward playing after suffering a dislocated shoulder against the San Francisco 49ers less than two weeks ago. Cook reportedly has gotten first-team reps in practice and "wants to give it a go" Thursday.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler later reported that Cook "will play barring pregame setback."
Source said Cook has passed tests on his shoulder and will play barring pregame setback. Incredibly quick turn from dislocated shoulder. https://t.co/ygr9XGJzfx
Pelissero also reported that while the Vikes initially didn't expect Cook back until Dec. 20 against the Chicago Bears, Cook underwent "intense" rehab to regain strength and range of motion in his shoulder.
In addition to the shoulder keeping him out this week, an ankle injury cost Cook two games earlier this season.
Cook has struggled with injuries dating back to his rookie season. He appeared in just four games during the 2017 campaign before tearing his ACL, and he missed five games in 2018 with a hamstring injury. He also missed two games in 2019 with a shoulder ailment.
When healthy, Cook is dominant. In nine games this season, he has rushed for 773 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to 27 catches for 202 yards.
He was also fantastic last season, rushing for 1,557 yards and 16 touchdowns in 14 games.
When Cook is sidelined, Minnesota relies on Alexander Mattison, who is also highly talented. He has rushed for 405yards and two touchdowns in 12 games this year, including 90 yards and a touchdown in a start against the Detroit Lions last week.
Mattison will get the start against Pittsburgh if something changes with Cook's status, but if Cook does indeed play, he will likely be the bell-cow back as usual.
Cook potentially playing is significant since the Vikings will be without one of their top offensive weapons in Thielen (ankle) and are one game out of a playoff spot in the NFC.
It's getting late in the NFL season. By this point, some fantasy football managers have had their rosters depleted by injuries. It may be tough to fill out a strong lineup each week, especially as players continue to get hurt and miss time...
This is it. Where the regular season is concerned, anyway. In the vast majority of fantasy football leagues, Week 14 brings with it the final matchup ahead of the playoffs...
The Minnesota Vikings can't catch a break on the injury front. Minnesota lost Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen in consecutive weeks, and to make matters worse, it lost to the Detroit Lions in Week 13...
It's always important to make the right lineup decisions in fantasy football, but there could be even greater consequences for making the wrong choices this week...
Week 14 in fantasy football provides top stars with some favorable matchups and under-the-radar players with opportunities to contribute to your team as you near the playoffs...
Fantasy football managers should think twice before they bench fringe starters in tough matchups . Several top performers from Sunday's games will face stout defenses in Week 14...
Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Vikings' Fantasy Outlook After Adam Thielen's Injury
Dec 5, 2021
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) in action during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 19-17. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs)
The Minnesota Vikings have to play without top receiver Adam Thielen after he was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions with an ankle injury, providing more of an opportunity for Justin Jefferson and others to thrive in the passing game.
The second-year Jefferson has already been one of the NFL's top wideouts this season, totaling 1,027 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 67 catches in 11 games entering the day. That follows a breakout rookie season in which he earned a Pro Bowl selection with 88 catches for 1,400 yards and seven scores.
While the 22-year-old has already shown his big-play ability throughout his time in the NFL, Thielen's absence will make Jefferson an even more important part of the offense. This will especially be the case on the scoreboard, as Thielen has 10 touchdowns on the season.
Jefferson should be a WR1 in all formats and could challenge to be the top overall scorer at the position until Thielen returns.
His injury could also open things up for K.J. Osborn, who has been a quality option for Kirk Cousins even as the third receiver. He got into the lineup after Chad Beebe and Bisi Johnson suffered preseason injuries and now could get an even bigger role.
Osborn should be added in all leagues and could even be an instant start, depending on your options.
The Vikings offense has had some big games this year, and it could lead to fantasy production for anyone with consistent playing time.
