Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings RB Dalvin Cook to play Sunday despite ankle injury: 'Expect me to be me'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/3/21

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will play Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, he told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

#Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (ankle) just told me he’s playing against the #Browns and “expect me to be me.” Full arrival interview shortly on @NFLGameDay @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/rM5YkNTf3e
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 3, 2021

Cook missed last week's game against the Seattle Seahawks with an ankle injury. He was also unable to practice last week due to the ailment and was limited in this week's practices.

The 26-year-old is coming off a 131-yard performance against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. He has 42 carries for 192 yards and one touchdown on the season.

In Cook's absence last week, backup Alexander Mattison ran for 112 yards in a 30-17 win over the Seahawks.

The Browns currently own the NFL's fifth-best run defense, allowing just 201 yards on the ground in three games and 3.1 yards per carry. So Cook could have a difficult time, especially coming off an ankle injury.

Still, Cook has been one of the best running backs in the NFL for the past two seasons. In 2020, he finished second in the league with 1,557 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, both career highs, in 14 games.

More must-reads: