Vikings Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook practices, questionable vs. Lions

There are promising signs that Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook will be able to take the field for Sunday's game against the winless Detroit Lions even though he's been slowed by a right ankle sprain since Sept. 19. 

With that said, fantasy football players shouldn't yet lock Cook into their lineups. 

Per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Cook returned to the practice field Friday for some on-the-field work after he missed sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday. Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk notes Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer told reporters his RB1 is improving but added he hasn't yet made a decision on Cook's availability for Sunday. 

The 26-year-old will enter the weekend officially "questionable" to play against Detroit. 

Cook said earlier in the week that he was willing to play "through pain" and that he didn't feel any more injured coming off last Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns, during which he tallied only 34 yards on nine carries and missed portions of the contest because he was slowed by the setback. 

Backup Alexander Mattison recorded 112 rushing yards on 26 carries with six catches for 59 yards serving as Cook's replacement in the Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota's lone victory of the season. He could again see the bulk of the team's touches at the position versus the Lions even if Cook begins the game in the backfield.