Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook is likely to play on Sunday after sustaining a groin injury in Week 5. On Friday, Coach Zimmer anticipated that Dalvin Cook would resume his normal “workload” in the Week 8 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Cook was then unexpectedly listed as questionable on a revised injury report after he initially was not given any type of designation. Downgrading injury status from “Full” to “Questionable” may signify a potential setback in his recovery from a groin injury.
Related | Week 7 Injury Review
Not so fast: The #Vikings updated their injury report and now list Cook as questionable. https://t.co/XcZYlyVkXG
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 30, 2020
How much of a role will Dalvin Cook play on Sunday? Considering the high risk of chronicity and reoccurrence of groin injuries, a steady “workload” for their star RB should be reconsidered.
Adductor Strain
The most prevalent groin injury in sports is the adductor strain. Comprising 24.5% of all hip injuries, adductor/groin injuries are particularly common in multidirectional sports such as football. The primary action of this muscle group in athletics is to stabilize the hip for improved sprinting efficiency.
Adductor strains typically occur at the musculotendinous unit and/or its insertion onto the pelvis. The adductor muscles of the hip joint include the adductor longus, adductor magnus, adductor brevis, gracilis, obturator externus, and pectineus. Due to a lack of mechanical advantage, adductor longus is more susceptible to injury. The anatomical architecture of the adductors poses a challenge to rehabilitation. With a poor blood supply and rich nerve contribution, the healing process of the adductor group can be delayed.
Treatment Focus
Most acute adductor strains are incomplete injuries, requiring rest and physical rehabilitation. The adductors are force absorbers, that experience high levels of stress during athletic movements. Skilled football positions, such as running backs are more vulnerable to adductor injury because of their need to sprint, cut, and change direction abruptly. Recurrent injury can occur due to incomplete rehabilitation or inadequate time for tissue repair.
Decreased adductor strength and previous injury are primary risk factors for adductor strains. Hence, a functional strengthening program of the adductor group should be emphasized. Physical therapy will also focus on decreasing inflammation, improving range of motion, and increasing the power of surrounding musculature (abdominals and gluteals). Return to sport after acute strains are generally recommended when the athlete regains 70% of strength and a painless range of motion.
Fantasy Outlook
With Dalvin Cook returning to action against the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings should play it safe with his workload to avoid season long re-aggravation. Even with limited opportunities, expect Dalvin Cook to provide a spark to an offense that has struggled in recent weeks.
