Minnesota Vikings injury report: Dalvin Cook, Everson Griffen OUT vs Buffalo

It’s Friday, and in addition to getting down on Friday, this is the day that teams across the National Football League release their final injury reports before Sunday’s games. The Minnesota Vikings are no different, as their final injury report has just come out, and there are several key names that will not be suiting up against the Buffalo Bills at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Most notably, both running back Dalvin Cook and Everson Griffen have been declared as “out” for Sunday’s contest.

Cook left last Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers with a hamstring issue, and did not practice all week. Latavius Murray is set to get the start at running back, and he could be backed up by Roc Thomas, as Mike Boone is now listed as “questionable” on the injury report with a groin issue. Boone was a full participant in Friday’s practice.

Likewise, Griffen hasn’t practiced all week with what is being listed as a knee issue. He was on the injury report last week with a toe injury, but played the full game against Green Bay. Stephen Weatherly will likely get the start in Griffen’s stead, and it would not be surprising to see Danielle Hunter rotate over to Griffen’s spot at right defensive end against the Bills.

Also listed as “out” for Sunday are tight end David Morgan (knee) and punt returner Marcus Sherels (ribs). Tyler Conklin will likely see significantly more time at tight end in Morgan’s place, while we will likely see rookie Mike Hughes handle punt returns in Sherels’ absence.

At his press conference today, Mike Zimmer also noted that center Pat Elflein will see his first action on Sunday, now fully recovered from his injuries, but will not start. Brett Jones will continue to start at center, and it will be interesting to see how the team works Elflein in.

Below is the full injury report for the Vikings. We’ll have the Bills’ injury report in a separate post.