Chris

Cook

There is no tear to the muscle, but Cook has a strain and that kind of an injury can linger. The Vikings plan to test out Cook in Wednesday’s practice to gauge his recovery. Burnable Asher Allen is next on the depth chart.

Cook has been charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and “intentional attempts to inflict bodily harm on another.” He is reportedly being held without bail until a Monday morning court appearance. If that’s indeed the case, it means he will be unavailable for Sunday’s game against the Packers. His absence would be a huge blow for a team already expected to be without starting CB Antoine Winfield. Cook was arrested and charged with brandishing a gun in March, but was acquitted.

With Antoine Winfield (neck) expected to miss his third straight game, the Vikings will now be forced to start Asher Allen opposite Cedric Griffin at cornerback against the Packers. Aaron Rodgers should be able to sleepwalk to his sixth 300-yard passing effort of 2011. Arrested twice in the past seven months, Cook could be staring at a lengthy suspension.

The Vikings currently have one of the league’s thinner secondaries, and sound ready to reinstate a player who was banished from the team after Week 6 last season. Cook is set to make just $490,000 in 2012.

Cook’s ex-girlfriend apparently lost credibility in the jury’s eyes when the defense argued in strong fashion that she was the aggressor. The upshot in football terms is that the organization will likely reinstate Cook from his suspension, even if he’s on a tight leash going forward. An athletic, physical corner, Cook had started shading No. 1 receivers before the suspension last season. It remains to be seen if the commissioner’s office will impose a suspension of their own.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that Cook is “expected” to show for Vikings post-draft Organized Team Activities, which begin on May 29. Cook has met with team brass since last season ended. With a litany of off-the-field issues, Cook will have to rebuild trust inside the organization this offseason.

Cook admitted during this depressing, winding trial that he had a violent argument with his ex-girlfriend, but he says he never choked her. Jurors begin to deliberate on Cook’s guilt on Wednesday. The result will greatly affect his job status in 2012.

Cook, 25, was inactive for the final 10 games last season, but the Vikings left him on the roster and will formally reinstate him. A second-round pick in 2010, Cook has the talent to emerge as a starter in one of the league’s thinner secondaries. His salary is just $490,000, so there’s little risk on the Vikings’ end.

“He walloped her so hard in the side of the head that he put her into a wall face-first, perforating her eardrum,” alleged prosecutor Sarah Hilleren. The defense, of course, is accusing Cook’s ex-girlfriend of being the aggressor and “an angry drunk.” Medical records have confirmed that the woman has lost part of her hearing, however. Cook is hardly out of the woods.

“We will review the facts,” league spokesman Greg Aiello said, “but we do not expect league discipline in this matter.” With a checkered history, Cook may always be one step away from ending his ties to the Vikings organization. For now, though, he’s locked in as a 2012 starter.