Vikings update status of Dalvin Cook for Pittsburgh Steelers matchup Thursday night

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are clinging onto anything that will provide hope in a game that feels like a must-win scenario vs. the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers’ defense will have its hands full as Vikings’ star running back Dalvin Cook is slated to play.

“Vikings RB Dalvin Cook will play tonight vs. the Steelers with a shoulder harness, just as he did vs. the Saints in a January 2020 wild-card game, when he had 31 touches for 130 yards and two touchdowns,” Schefter tweeted. “With the harness, expectations are that Cook maintains his regular workload.”

Dalvin Cook’s appearance on Wednesday’s injury report as a limited participant with a questionable game status was surprising because it was significantly ahead of schedule.

Cook wasn’t expected to return to action until the Minnesota Vikings played the Chicago Bears on Dec. 20, but after going through intense rehab in the last week and a half, the narrative began to shift. Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to worry about limiting one of the most dynamic running backs in the NFL in a game where there was a real chance he wouldn’t suit up.

Dalvin Cook’s initial shoulder injury came in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers and was significant enough to require a cart to carry him off the field at Levi’s Stadium. The initial prognosis left room for hope he’d return in time to contribute in the crucial final weeks of Minnesota’s season (much like he did in 2019), but in a stunning twist of events, he’s ready to go.