Dalvin Cook says he is ‘ahead of schedule’ with ACL recovery

The Minnesota Vikings have the potential to feature one of the best offenses in football this season now that they have signed Kirk Cousins, and running back Dalvin Cook will be a big part of that if healthy. According to the former Florida State star, health will not be a factor for him.

Cook suffered a torn ACL on Oct. 1 last year. The Vikings have been cautious with him this offseason, but he insists he couldn’t be happier with how his rehab has gone.

“You know, I don’t ever like to say ahead of schedule, because a lot of people put that word out there — ahead of schedule, ahead of schedule — but I truly feel like I’m ahead of schedule,” Cook told Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. “I feel comfortable with where I am. Like I just feel like I took a step forward, you know?”

Cook said he is just taking things day by day and that he plans to be honest with the team if he feels he needs rest, but he isn’t ruling out playing in Minnesota’s first preseason game on Aug. 11.

“Yeah, I’m ready to go. I’m ready to get some action,” he said. “I don’t know how much they’re going to let me get. Whatever plan they got for me, just execute.

“I’m ready to deliver (that first hit). That’s what I’m ready to do. That’s my mind-set, man. I’m going to go out there and play and be me. I know my knee is fixed. I know I’m healed up. Put the time in, go out there and play.”

We expect Cook to be healthy and play a huge role for the Vikings in 2018, which is why we included him on our list of potential breakout stars. With Cousins now under center, a great receiver duo in Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs and an explosive back like Cook, Minnesota certainly is not short on play-makers.