Indiana, PA / WDAD AM1450 & 100.3FM
Dec 31, 2020 9:00 AM
The Steelers opened practice for this week’s regular-season finale against Cleveland with a number of players resting.
Injured players who sat out included defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Tyson Alualu and safety Terrell Edmunds. Others on the sidelines for rest included Ben Roethlisberger, Maurkice Pouncey, David DeCastro, T.J. Watt, and Cam Heyward.
Returning to the practice field after sitting out last week’s game against the Colts were linebacker/safety Marcus Allen, kicker Chris Boswell, and linebacker Ola Adeniyi.
The Pittsburgh chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association named Roethlisberger the winner of the Chief Award – named after Steelers founder Art Rooney – for cooperation with the media, and the Joe Greene Great Performance Award for rookie of the year to wide receiver Chase Claypool.
Even if there were postseason implications, Cook would not have enough time to clear COVID-19 protocols in order to be allowed to play. The NFL has a six-day testing window for newly arriving players, a waiting period that applies to any interruption to the daily testing process.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer did not mention Cook’s absence during his video conference with reporters. Quarterback Kirk Cousins and wide receiver Justin Jefferson expressed condolences to Cook, who was selected by vote of the Minnesota chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association as the 2020 recipient of the Korey Stringer Good Guy Award for media cooperation and professionalism.
2020/12/31 02:14 Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and outside linebacker Demario Da. Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and outside linebacker Demario Davis on a 15 yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and outside linebacker Demario Da. Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) carries against New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore (23) and outside linebacker Demario Davis on a 15 yard touchdown run in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Cook not at Vikings practice after death of his father
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Minnesota out of playoff contention.
Posted: Dec 30, 2020 1:05 PM
Posted By: Mike Bunge
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Running back Dalvin Cook is not practicing with the Minnesota Vikings this week, due to the death of his father.
Two people with knowledge of the situation, speaking Wednesday on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce a reason for his absence, confirmed that Cook went home to Miami to be with his family after the unexpected passing. Cook has a younger brother, James Cook, who is a running back for Georgia.