CB Cook has a torn meniscus; will not play in opener

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook’s regular season debut will not happen on the Sept. 9 opener against the New Orleans Saints.

Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune reports Cook recently had a procedure on his right knee after suffering a torn meniscus on Saturday’s preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL sources.

According to the report, Cook is expected to miss at least two weeks and perhaps longer.

The report also says cornerback Lito Sheppard will get the start in Thursday’s preseason finale against the Denver Broncos.

Cornerback Asher Allen has played well in the nickel position, so it appears Sheppard will likely start at right corner against the Saints in two weeks. Before going down with his injury, Cook made a strong case to start with an impressive showing with the first-team defense during the third preseason game.

With the trade of cornerback Benny Sapp to the Dolphins last week and the injuries to cornerbacks Cedric Griffin and Cook, the opening day defensive backfield should consist of Antoine Winfield at left corner, Shepperd at right and Allen as the nickel.

Jeremy Fowler and Brian Murphy of the Pioneer Press reports Griffin feels he is ready to come back and play, but with the injury he had and the short time he’s had to recover, it is a long shot that he is not on the physically unable to perform list come the time of the opener. If he does avoid the PUP list, he may not start right away or may play limited snaps.

Even though he feels ready to go, even he knows it’s not his decision to make. ”Whatever they feel is best for me, I’m going to do. They’re my bosses,” Griffin said.

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