EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings announced Thursday that they have placed running back Dalvin Cook on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.
Vikings Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak said Thursday Cook will not play Sunday against the Rams.
"Big challenge not having Dalvin," Kubiak said. "Obviously a team captain and great player. Unfortunately, he won't be available."
Cook, who was named to the Pro Bowl on Monday, leads the NFC (and ranks third in the NFL) with 1,067 rushing yards. He has 226 carries and six scores on the season.
Cook's absence will be a massive blow to the Vikings offense — and the team in general — as Minnesota tries to get into the playoffs down the stretch. The Vikings (7-7) currently hold the third and final NFC Wild Card spot with three games left.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of Jan. 5, 2022.

1 K Greg Joseph

1 K Greg Joseph

3 P Jordan Berry

16 P Jordan Berry

7 CB Patrick Peterson

7 CB Patrick Peterson

8 QB Kirk Cousins

8 QB Kirk Cousins

11 QB Kellen Mond

11 QB Kellen Mond

12 WR Dede Westbrook

12 WR Dede Westbrook

14 QB Sean Mannion

14 QB Sean Mannion

15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

15 WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette

17 WR K.J. Osborn

17 WR K.J. Osborn

18 WR Justin Jefferson

18 WR Justin Jefferson

20 CB Harrison Hand

20 CB Harrison Hand

22 S Harrison Smith

22 S Harrison Smith

23 S Xavier Woods

23 S Xavier Woods

24 CB Mackensie Alexander

24 CB Mackensie Alexander

2 RB Alexander Mattison

2 RB Alexander Mattison

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

26 RB Kene Nwangwu

3 CB Cameron Dantzler

27 CB Cameron Dantzler

29 CB Kris Boyd

29 CB Kris Boyd

30 FB C.J. Ham

30 FB C.J. Ham

31 RB Wayne Gallman

31 RB Wayne Gallman

4 RB Dalvin Cook

33 RB Dalvin Cook

35 TE Luke Stocker

35 TE Luke Stocker

41 LB Chazz Surratt

41 LB Chazz Surratt

42 LS Andrew DePaola

42 LS Andrew DePaola

44 S Josh Metellus

44 S Josh Metellus

45 LB Troy Dye

45 LB Troy Dye

48 LB Blake Lynch

48 LB Blake Lynch

52 G Wyatt Davis

52 G Wyatt Davis

55 LB Anthony Barr

55 LB Anthony Barr

56 C Garrett Bradbury

56 C Garett Bradbury

58 DT Michael Pierce

58 DT Michael Pierce

59 LB Nick Vigil

59 LB Nick Vigil

64 T Blake Brandel

64 T Blake Brandel

69 T Rashod Hill

69 T Rashod Hill

74 G Olisaemeka Udoh

74 G Olisaemeka Udoh

75 T Brian O'Neill

75 T Brian O'Neill

78 G Dakota Dozier

78 G Dakota Dozier

83 TE Tyler Conklin

83 TE Tyler Conklin

85 WR Dan Chisena

85 WR Dan Chisena

90 DT Sheldon Richardson

90 DT Sheldon Richardson

92 DT James Lynch

92 DT James Lynch

91 OLB Patrick Jones II

91 DE Patrick Jones II

94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson

94 DT Dalvin Tomlinson

96 DT Armon Watts

96 DT Armon Watts

98 DE D.J. Wonnum

98 DE D.J. Wonnum
Alexander Mattison, who was activated off the Reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, is now in line to start against the Rams on Sunday. The Vikings also have fullback C.J. Ham and running backs Kene Nwangwu and Wayne Gallman on the active roster.
"We've been through this this year already, and guys have stepped up," Kubiak said. "Alex has stepped up, Kene is getting more comfortable, and it's Week 2 with Wayne Gallman. Hammer has always been a Swiss Army knife. We've just got to go with the guys that we've got."
Justin Jefferson said the Vikings offense will have to find a way to succeed without the star running back.
"Just knowing how much he wanted to be out there with us, knowing how much he loves the game, just loves competing with us, it's definitely tough not having a player like him on that field," Jefferson said. "But I know Matt is going to do a great job. I know the other backs that we have are going to do a great job replacing him.
"We just know as receivers that we've got to step up a little bit more," Jefferson added. "We've got to make those plays, those 1-on-1 balls. We've just got to come mentally prepared to do what we've got to do."
Additionally, the Vikings signed running back A.J. Rose, Jr., to the practice squad.
Minnesota also announced that cornerback Tye Smith was placed on the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Vikings also activated wide receiver Dan Chisena from the Reserve/COVID-19 list and guard Kyle Hinton from the activated from the Practice Squad Reserve/COVID-19 list.