Vikings’ plan for Dalvin Cook to throw first NFL pass doesn’t go well in loss to Lions

Chris Tomasson, Pioneer Press
Updated ·4 min read
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DETROIT – Running back Dalvin Cook never has attempted a pass in his six-year NFL career. The Vikings were hoping to change that Sunday.

In a 34-23 loss to Detroit at Ford Field, Minnesota tried a trick play in which Cook was supposed to throw a pass. But it backfired.

With 1:06 left in the first half and the Vikings down 14-7, they faced first-and-goal at the 3. The ball went to Cook, who wasn’t clutching it tight and looked as if he might throw. Instead, he lost a fumble, and the Lions maintained the lead the rest of the game.

“Dalvin was actually going to attempt to throw that football to (tight end) Johnny Mundt and he was open in the back,’’ Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We just wanted to make sure number one there was no penetration. … (We) just didn’t execute and the ball went the other way. It was a critical, critical error. … I’m always going to rely on our guys to make that play and execute in that moment. But ultimately huge play in the game.”

Cook declined to say that he was looking to pass, saying that he has “to take care of the football.’’ O’Connell said he had no reservations about the play, despite Cook never having thrown a pass in a game.

“We’ve practiced it quite a bit,’’ O’Connell said. “I felt comfortable with him executing that play in that moment.”

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins said it “had gone well” in practice with Cook running that play.

“It’s just an unfortunate, unfortunate outcome there,’’ Cousins said.

Cook was given a sack of five yards on the play, and the fumble was returned by safety Kerby Joseph to the Lions 22. The result could have been worse, but Michael Badgley missed a 47-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the half.

Injury updates

After being listed as questionable, tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion), safety Harrison Smith (neck) and center Garrett Bradbury (back) all sat out Sunday.

Darrisaw missed his third straight game after suffering his second concussion of the season Nov. 20 against Dallas, although he cleared the protocol on Friday. Smith and Bradbury were both hurt Dec. 4 against the New York Jets.

“We just wanted to be smart as we get into December with some of our players that have been banged up, but no real long-term concerns,’’ O’Connell said.

Darrisaw was replaced by Blake Brandel, Smith by Josh Metellus and Bradbury by Austin Schlottmann.

“Garrett was pretty close to a game-time decision, and we just decided where he was at that we had confidence in (Schlottmann) taking the reps,’’ O’Connell said.

O’Connell said “it’s possible” that having two offensive line starters out hampered the running game. The Vikings had just 22 yards on the ground.

On Sunday, Brandel suffered a right knee injury, linebacker Jordan Hicks a left foot injury, cornerback Kris Boyd a knee contusion and defensive lineman James Lynch a shoulder injury. O’Connell said Hicks and Brandel will have MRI exams, and that he’s hopeful Boyd will be back for Saturday’s game against Indianapolis. He added that Brandel, who was replaced by Oli Udoh, could have returned to the game if necessary.

Hicks is hopeful the injury he suffered in the second quarter isn’t serious.

“I took a step and I felt something,’’ he said after the game. “It feels fine right now but (Monday’s) a new day, and we’ll see.”

More hits on Cousins

Cousins continued to take a lot of hits, but he shrugged them off.

“It’s pro football,’’ he said. “You’re going to get hit. You understand that, and then you’ve got your chiropractor and your tissue person lined up for Monday afternoon.”

Cousins was sacked three times and the Lions had nine quarterback pressures. Still, Cousins completed 31 of 41 passes for a season-high 425 yards with two touchdowns.

“We dropped back a lot today, and it’s on the road so there’s some challenges that come with that,” Cousins said. “I was just proud of the way protection held up and the receivers and tight ends kept getting separation in man coverage and kept making plays.”

Vikings debuts

Defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo, a rookie from the University of Minnesota, made his NFL debut and had a tackle while playing some snaps from scrimmage.

Like Otomewo, offensive lineman Vederian Lowe, a rookie from Illinois, was active for the first time in his NFL career. He played on special teams.

In addition to Darrisaw, Smith and Bradbury, edge rusher Luiji Vilain and defensive lineman Ross Blacklock were inactive for the Vikings.

Briefly

Tight end T.J. Hockenson, traded by the Lions to the Vikings on Oct. 31, made his first trip back to Detroit and had six catches for 71 yards. … The Vikings are the first team in NFL history to be 10-3 and have been outscored. They’ve scored 312 points and allowed 313. … Cameron Dantzler started after missing four games due to a high left ankle sprain, although Duke Shelley also got some snaps at right cornerback.

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