Report: CB Cook out with meniscus tear

Rookie cornerback Chris Cook will be out at least two weeks with a meniscus tear, according to sources cited by the Star Tribune.

One week after trading cornerback Benny Sapp to the Miami Dolphins for wide receiver Greg Camarillo, the Vikings could have a shortage of healthy cornerbacks on their roster.

Chris Cook, who looked like he had won the starting job at right cornerback, could be out at least weeks, according to sources cited by the Star Tribune.

Cook had five tackles and a pass defensed in three preseason games and made the start opposite Antoine Winfield in Saturday’s preseason game. However, he came out of the game and had his knee wrapped in ice while standing on the sidelines.

After the game, Cook said the injury was “just a little ding” and that he would be available for the Broncos game this Thursday. However, according to the Star Tribune, Cook had surgery on the knee and won’t be available until at least after the regular-season opener on Sept. 9.

Cook received good reviews from the coaching staff after his performance, but it looks like either Lito Sheppard or 2009 third-round draft choice Asher Allen will be in line for the starting job for the opener against the pass-happy New Orleans Saints.

“Last year, I took my first lap around the track,” Allen told Viking Update on Monday. “I’ve had a chance to do that and got a chance to play and show that I could contribute. Things have slowed down a lot since last year and I’m able to play a lot more instinctively. I still have a few things to work on, but for the most part I feel a lot more like myself. I’m not spending as much time thinking about the plays and I’m able to do a lot more of what I feel comfortable doing on the football field.”