The Minnesota Vikings experienced the good and bad sides of injury news this week, and especially on Wednesday.
Minnesota is closer to getting a huge reinforcement in the form of running back Dalvin Cook, who is working toward returning from a groin injury suffered in Week 5 against Seattle. Cook was a limited participant in practice Wednesday.
Before he was injured, Cook led the NFL in rushing yards. The Vikings had little semblance of a rushing attack without Cook in a Week 6 loss to Atlanta before reaching the Week 7 bye, making a potential return perfectly timed for Minnesota's Week 8 rematch with Green Bay.
Unfortunately, the Vikings won't have a key defensive player for that game or any other contest in 2020. Defensive end Danielle Hunter underwent successful neck surgery on Wednesday and will miss the remainder of the season, Zimmer announced Wednesday.
Hunter hasn't played a down in 2020 after suffering the injury in a non-padded practice in August. Zimmer said he expects Hunter to make a full recovery and be ready for offseason activities.
The Vikings placed cornerback Cameron Dantzler on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Here are more injury and roster news we're tracking on Wednesday:
- The Dallas Cowboys are expected to sign quarterback Cooper Rush to their practice squad next week once he passes COVID-19 protocols and a physical, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Dallas tendered Rush as a restricted free agent earlier this year and then released him after signing Andy Dalton. The Cowboys are also cutting defensive tackle Dontari Poe and cornerback Daryl Worley after attempting to trade both veterans, per Rapoport.
- New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas remained out of practice with ankle and hamstring injuries.
- The Cincinnati Bengals traded defensive end Carlos Dunlap to the Seahawks for a seventh-round draft pick and offensive lineman B.J. Finney. Cincinnati is also expected to sign former Bills guard Quinton Spain, per Rapoport. The sixth-year veteran is currently going through COVID-19 protocols with the team.
- Seattle Seahawks running backs Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring) and safety Jamal Adams (illness/groin) did not practice on Wednesday.
- Philadelphia Eagles wideout Jalen Reagor and tight end Dallas Goedert practiced Wednesday. Left tackle Jason Peters is back as well. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf), offensive tackle Lane Johnson (knee, ankle) and running back Miles Sanders (knee) were out, and defensive tackle Malik Jackson (quadricep) was limited.
- Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is sitting out practice with an ankle injury.
- Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich announced that wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who has been in injured reserve with a lower leg injury and defensive end Kemoko Turay, who has been on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he works his way back from ankle surgery, are officially returning to practice today.
- Packers coach Matt LaFleur said wideout Allen Lazard, who's missed the past three games with a core injury, will return to practice this week. Green Bay signed guard Ben Braden and cornerback KeiVarae Russell to its practice squad. Running back Aaron Jones (calf) was listed as a DNP in the team's estimated participation for Wednesday.
- Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (groin) was limited in practice.
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers Diontae Johnson (toe) and JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee), center Maurkice Pouncey (elbow), offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (elbow) and tight end Eric Ebron (elbow) did not practice.
- The Dolphins announced they have signed tight end Adam Shaheen to an extension through the 2022 season.
- The Washington Football Team signed wide receiver Trevor Davis , a kick returner with 4.3 speed, to its practice squad.
The Washington Football Team is signing wide receiver/punt returner Trevor Davis to its practice squad. -- Ian Rapoport - Baltimore Ravens running back Mark Ingram (ankle) didn't practice, while cornerback Jimmy Smith (Achilles) was limited.
- Chicago Bears linebacker Khalil Mack (ankle), wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (quad) and wide receiver Allen Robinson (concussion) did not practice.
- Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz (back) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (hamstring) did not practice, while defensive tackle Chris Jones (groin) was limited.
- The Arizona Cardinals have signed defensive lineman Josh Mauro from the Jaguars' practice squad and signed defensive lineman Daniel Wise and running back Khalfani Muhammad to their practice squad.
- Atlanta Falcons defensive end Takkarist McKinley (groin) has been ruled out of Thursday's game against the Panthers. Wide receiver Julio Jones (hip) was full-go in Wednesday's practice, while wide receiver Russell Gage (knee), center Alex Mack (knee) and offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (elbow) remained limited.
- New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (shoulder) and offensive tackle Mekhi Becton (shoulder) were limited in practice, and wide receiver Jamison Crowder (groin), kicker Sam Ficken (right groin), and wide receiver Breshad Perriman (concussion) were out.
- The New England Patriots placed linebacker Brandon Copeland on injured reserve and tight end Jake Burt on practice squad IR.
- The Houston Texans placed offensive lineman Max Scharping on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The team also activated wide receiver Isaiah Coulter off he reserve/injured list.
- Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (concussion) , wide receiver Tim Patrick (hamstring) and defensive end Shelby Harris (illness) did not practice Wednesday. Coach Vic Fangio clarified to reporters that Harris' illness was not COVID-19 related. Tight end Noah Fant was limited with an ankle injury.
- Los Angeles Chargers guard Trai Turner (groin) did not practice Wednesday, while offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga (back) and defensive lineman Melvin Ingram (knee) were limited.
