Vikings Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook to play 'through pain' vs. Lions

Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook missed the Week 3 win over the Seattle Seahawks because of a right ankle sprain and visibly wasn't the same dynamic force throughout this past Sunday's 14-7 home loss to the Cleveland Browns that dropped the Vikings to 1-3 on the season. 

Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Cook does not intend to take any time off with the campaign in danger of spiraling out of control before Halloween. 

"That’s the plan," Cook said Wednesday of being in the lineup for this Sunday's matchup against the winless Detroit Lions. "I don’t feel like I’m getting worse or heading in the wrong direction." 

Cook later added: "Part of this game is playing through pain." 

According to Graff, Cook sat through much of the third quarter against Cleveland and logged a total of 33 offensive snaps and nine carries for 34 yards. Backup Alexander Mattison finished the contest with 20 yards on 10 rushes during what became a frustrating day for the Minnesota offense. 

Mattison went for 112 rushing yards on 26 carries with six catches for 59 yards against Seattle, however, and could feast again versus Detroit if Cook spends much of the outing as a spectator. Minnesota's bye week follows its showdown with the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 17.