Dalvin Cook officially out against Detroit in Week 17

Friday update: We knew Cook wouldn’t play, but the team has now made it official. Alexander Mattison isn’t on the final injury report, so he will likely make the start in a good matchup.

Minnesota Vikings star running back Dalvin Cook will not play in Week 17, per Courtney Cronin. Cronin reports that Cook needs to deal with a family emergency. The Vikings have been eliminated from the playoffs, so his absence won’t have an impact on the Vikings season, but for fantasy, we’ll need to find an alternative.

In such a good matchup against the Lions, that alternative could come from the Vikings. Alexander Mattison has only played a couple snaps over the last four weeks after an appendectomy and a concussion. If he can be cleared from his concussion this week, he would likely get the starting nod over Mike Boone, but if not, Boone would probably see the lead work.

Cook has had a monster season, but injuries have slowed him down somewhat. He will finish the year with 1,557 rushing yards (5.0 ypc) and eight touchdowns, while adding another touchdowns and 361 yards through the air.