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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Running back Dalvin Cook was taken off on a cart late in the third quarter of the Minnesota Vikings’ 34-26 loss to San Francisco on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium and the severity of his shoulder injury was unknown in the immediate aftermath of the game.
Head coach Mike Zimmer said Cook would have an MRI on Monday. Asked if the injury could end Cook’s season, Zimmer said, “I don’t know.”
Cook was hurt when he fumbled on a four-yard loss with 1:30 left in the third quarter. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens made the tackle and the fumble was recovered by linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. The 49ers turned the miscue into a field goal for a 34-26 lead.
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Cook was sitting up when he was taken on a cart to the locker room.
“I know Dalvin is going to bounce back,’’ Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson said. “We don’t know how serious that injury is but (we’re) just keeping him in our prayers and hopefully he’s OK and comes back for us.”
Jefferson said shortly after the game that he had not spoken to Cook since he was hurt.
“Hopefully he’s high spirited,” Jefferson said. “He knows all the teammates have his back and are with him every step of the way. Hopefully he’s good.”
Jefferson said he has confidence in backup running back Alexander Mattison if Cook misses game action.
“We’ve got a dominant back in Mattison who can tote it any time of the day,’’ Jefferson said. “We’re confident in him, next man up if Dalvin doesn’t return. I mean, we’re just going to keep playing football.”
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