LA Chargers: Dalvin Cook might not play in Week 10 for the Minnesota Vikings
By Jason Reed
The LA Chargers host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 in what could be a big game for the Bolts. A win over the Vikings at home could be the launching point for the team to go on a run with a 6-3 record and an easier slate of games ahead of them.
However, with two ugly games against Baltimore and New England in the rear-view mirror, a win is far from a guarantee and a loss could bring the Chargers back down to earth with a 5-4 record.
While this game is not a must-win for the Chargers it could be the game we look back on where the Bolts either won or lost the division. As bad as the Kansas City Chiefs have played thus far this season, the Chargers cannot give them any window of opportunity.
While the Vikings are a losing football team they should not be taken lightly. Every single game Minnesota has played thus far this season has been decided by one possession. They have nearly beaten great teams like the Arizona Cardinals and have nearly lost to bad teams like the Detroit Lions.
The one area that is really scary for the Chargers is Minnesota's rushing attack. Dalvin Cook is one of the best running backs in the league and the Bolts have the worst run defense in the league. While it looked much better against Philly, LA still ranks dead last in rushing yards allowed per game, allowing just under 25 more yards than the next-worst team.
However, Dalvin Cook might not be playing in the LA Chargers-Minnesota Vikings Week 10 game.
A woman has filed a lawsuit against Dalvin Cook, accusing the Vikings' running back of battery, assault and false imprisonment. Cook's attorneys responded by saying that the woman is trying to extort Cook for money and that Cook was assaulted by the woman after she broke into his residence (h/t ESPN).
It is a messy situation and it is not our place to comment on either side's innocence nor speculate what is going to happen in the case.
Cook is still eligible to play in Week 10 despite the allegations but it would not be that surprising if the Vikings ask him to sit out this game and road trip while the situation clears up. If so, the Bolts would take on Alexander Mattison in the backfield instead of Cook.
Mattison has shown flashes in stepping in when Cook does not play. The backup running back started in Week 3 and in week 5 and recorded a combined 225 rushing yards on 51 carries with 99 receiving yards.
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Mattison is still an explosive back and the LA Chargers are going to look to button up their run defense regardless.