After Dalvin Cook played through a chest injury for the last three Vikings’ games, the team is changing plans for their star running back. While they initially appreciated his willingness to play through the pain, a second injury combined with the Vikings’ spot on the brink of a playoff berth has prompted a shift in thinking.



Since Cook suffered a shoulder injury in Los Angeles on Sunday while still dealing with the chest injury, the Vikings now plan to sit Cook in their remaining two games with hopes of getting the running back as healthy as possible before a likely playoff game Jan. 4 or 5, sources said Thursday.



There’s a chance that Cook could return for a Week 17 game against the Chicago Bears if the Vikings still haven’t solidified a playoff spot, but the current hope for the Vikings is to clinch a postseason berth this weekend, either through the Los Angeles Rams losing at San Francisco Saturday night or by beating the Green Bay Packers...