Minnesota star running back Dalvin Cook rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in his faster-than-expected return from a shoulder injury, and the Vikings held on to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-28 by forcing an incomplete pass in the end zone on the final play Thursday night.
Just 11 days after Cook dislocated his shoulder, keeping him out of last week’s loss at previously winless Detroit, he lined up in the backfield and enjoyed the most running room he’s seen all season. Cook set a franchise record with 153 rushing yards in the first half, and he needed only 14 carries to do it.
“Once I told ’em I’m good, I’m good,” Cook said.
Cook initially was expected to miss at least two games, according to ESPN and multiple media outlets, after injuring his shoulder last month against the 49ers.
Cook’s return Thursday marked a surprisingly quick recovery after the two-time Pro Bowler was carted off the field during Minnesota’s loss to San Francisco on Nov. 28. He missed Sunday’s loss to the Lions but was officially listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game after being a limited participant at practice on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Cook, 26, has rushed for 978 yards and six touchdowns in 10 games this season and also has 28 receptions. He is the NFL’s seventh-leading rusher despite missing three games this season and is fourth in the league in average rushing yards per game at 85.9.
The Vikings (6-7) already had ruled out wide receiver Adam Thielen (ankle) and rookie offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (ankle) for Thursday night’s home game against the Steelers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
