The Vikings have ruled Cook (shoulder) out for Sunday's game against the Lions.
There was never much doubt Cook would sit out Week 13 after he didn't participate in practices Wednesday through Friday upon suffering a painful shoulder injury during the Vikings' Week 12 loss to San Francisco. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday that Cook was expected to miss two games before returning Week 15 in Chicago, and Josina Anderson of USA Today relayed Friday that timeline remains intact, even though the running back is "doing better" in his recovery. At this point, however, the Vikings haven't made anything official for Cook beyond ruling him out for this weekend's game in Detroit. Alexander Mattison should get all the snaps and touches he can handle in a friendly matchup this Sunday, backed by rookie speedster Kene Nwangwu and potentially practice-squadder A.J. Rose, who would need to be called up by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to play in Sunday's game.