Advertisement

Family will be torn when Dalvin Cook’s Vikings face brother James’ Bills

chris tomasson, pioneer press
·4 min read
1

The split hoodies are ready for the Cook Bowl.

With Vikings running back Dalvin Cook and his brother, Bills rookie running back James Cook, ready to face off Sunday for the first time, their mother has sprung into action. Varondria White had a relative who is in the apparel business make up 20 split hoodies, which will be on display in the stands at Buffalo’s Highmark Stadium.

“They’ve got a picture of Dalvin on one side and picture of James on the other, and their names are on the sleeve on the side where their picture is,’’ White said Wednesday. “Then on the back it says, ‘Cook Off.’ We’re still calling it the “Cook Bowl,’ but that was really catchy and I liked that.”

White said family members and friends were able to buy a hoodie for $50 apiece. Overall, she said there will be about 30 supporters in the group at Sunday’s game.

“I’m very nervous,’’ White said of her sons facing off. “I’m excited, but I’m actually nervous. I’ll just be there to cheer for them. Regardless of who wins, I just want the boys to have fun and do well.’’

Dalvin, in his sixth Minnesota season, has made three Pro Bowls and looks bound for another with a team-high 608 yards rushing for the 7-1 Vikings. James, taken in the second round out of Georgia, has 147 yards off the bench for the 6-2 Bills.

“It’s definitely going to be fun,’’ Dalvin said of Sunday’s game. “First time I ever get to play against him. It’s just funny how things work out. We made it to the stages of our career that we aimed for when we were younger. … it’s a fun time for my family. But it’s something that I will remember forever.’’

Dalvin said “every day” he’s been trash-talking with his brother. His mother saw it in person last Sunday, when she attended Minnesota’s 20-17 win at Washington. She put James on FaceTime after the game.

“They started trash-talking,’’ she said. “Dalvin said, ‘I’ll see you Sunday, baby.’ ’’

Adam Zimmer service

At least six current or former Vikings players attended Tuesday’s funeral mass for former Vikings assistant coach Adam Zimmer, who died Oct. 31.

Linebacker Eric Kendricks said he was on hand in Colleyville, Texas, a Dallas suburb, along with current Vikings safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Troy Dye. He said former Minnesota players present included linebackers Anthony Barr and Ben Gedeon and safety Andrew Sendejo.

Zimmer, the son of former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, was Minnesota’s linebackers coach from 2014-21 and also was co-defensive coordinator from 2020-21. He was found dead at his home in Mendota Heights, and a cause of death has not been released.

“It was definitely difficult because Adam was a really good coach,’’ said Dye, a fourth-round pick in 2020. “He played an important role in my career. He’s the one who called me on draft night. I had a really close relationship with him. It was a beautiful service. They did a really good job putting everything together. I was blessed and fortunate to be able to go there and show my support to the Zimmer family.’’

Expecting Allen

Head coach Kevin O’Connell is expecting Bills star quarterback Josh Allen, who suffered an elbow injury last Sunday against the New York Jets and didn’t practice Wednesday, to play Sunday. Bills coach Sean McDermott called him “day-to-day.”

“I think we’ve got to prepare like he’s going to be play,’’ O’Connell said.

If Allen doesn’t, he would be replaced by former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum. He threw the famous “Minneapolis Miracle” pass to Stefon Diggs to win a 2017 playoff game against New Orleans, and Diggs is now also with Buffalo.

“I do have a lot of respect for Case, and know that the offense won’t change all that much schematically if it ends up being Case,’’ O’Connell said.

Injury updates

The Vikings were without three starters in practice Wednesday in defensive end Dalvin Tomlinson (calf), cornerback Cameron Dantzler (ankle) and center Garrett Bradbury (ankle).

O’Connell said before the workout that Dantzler, who had a walking boot on after being hurt against the Commanders, remains a “long shot” to play Sunday. The coach indicated that Tomlinson could miss his second straight game. He didn’t comment on Bradbury, who sat out two snaps late in the first half at Washington.

The Vikings listed receiver Adam Thielen (ankle) as limited in practice and Ben Ellefson (groin) took part in the workout after being designated for return from injured reserve. Ellefson has missed the minimum of four games required while on injured reserve and could be activated to play Sunday.

Related Articles