DENVER – While the Vikings remain confident in running back Dalvin Cook's return from a torn ACL in his left knee, they'll wait at least one more week to put him back on the field.
The Vikings opted to hold Cook out of their preseason opener against the Broncos on Saturday night, sitting him out along with four other projected starters.
Guard Mike Remmers, who is nursing an ankle injury, did not play, and center Pat Elflein remains on the physically-unable-to-perform list following offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries.
Defensive tackle Linval Joseph did not dress after wearing a brace on his elbow this week, and the Vikings kept linebacker Anthony Barr out after he missed two practices this week with an undisclosed injury.
Injured wide receivers Tavarres King and Brandon Zylstra did not dress; Zylstra is dealing with a hamstring injury that is believed to be minor. Guard Colby Gossett and safety Jayron Kearse also sat out.
It remains to be seen whether the Vikings will use Cook in the preseason, though it's worth noting the team's athletic training staff is the same as the one that guided Adrian Peterson back from knee surgery and on the way to NFL MVP honors in 2012. Peterson didn't play in the preseason that year (though his torn ACL came on Dec. 24, while Cook's was on Oct. 1).
Cook also will have the benefit of two joint practices with the Jaguars this week, which provide him an opportunity to get work against a stout defense without any live tackling.
Lineup changes
With Cook out, the Vikings gave first-team work to Latavius Murray, who led the team in rushing a year ago after his workload increased following Cook's injury.
