The Minnesota Vikings report for training camp this coming week, and Dalvin Cook’s status is still not clear. Cook is looking for a new contract, and it appears there is some miscommunication as to whether or not he will report on time for training camp.
Head coach Mike Zimmer said on Saturday that he heard Cook was going to report to training camp on time. Cook’s agent responded on Saturday evening that Cook had not spoken to Zimmer in regards to returning to camp, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. That was followed by a pair of conflicting reports:
Some clarity: #Vikings RB Dalvin Cook told RBs coach Kennedy Polamalu he plans to report to training camp, per source. Polamalu relayed that to coach Mike Zimmer, who has texted with Cook tonight to straighten things out.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 26, 2020
Bottom line: Minnesota expects Cook in camp Tuesday.
More from Zac Hiller: “Dalvin and Coach Polamalu speak often as they have a great relationship. Dalvin has never mentioned to him anything in regards to reporting to camp. I’m not sure where the miscommunication is. I hope Dalvin plays a major role in the Vikings future success.” https://t.co/VfTSMS8x3j
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2020
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero tweeted at 10 p.m. that Cook told his position coach he would be reporting to camp. Schefter then tweeted at 11:06 p.m. that Cook’s agent was disputing Pelissero’s report.
And so, we head into the week training camp starts with no real clarity on whether or not Cook will report on time. The new CBA disincentivizes hold-outs, which suggests Cook will likely report sooner than later. But he also could choose to either opt-out of the season due to Covid-19. He would not accrue a season, but it could be a potential leverage option against a Vikings team looking to compete for a championship this year.
Cook is coming off his best season as a pro, rushing for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also catching 53 passes for 519 yards. He was a do-everything type that the Vikings leaned on heavily. Alexander Mattison is a quality back-up, with Michael Boone also showing some things late in the season. Mattison would move into first team snaps if Cook does hold out or even potentially opt out of the season.