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Vikings running back Alexander Mattison becomes reliable backup for Dalvin Cook

While Dalvin Cook has the second-most rushing yards in the NFL, he's only eighth in the league in carries, having averaged a modest 18.4 per game through five weeks.

As the Vikings try to get Cook through a full season healthy for the first time in his career, their efforts to reduce his workload have been helped by their comfort with rookie Alexander Mattison, who's gained 189 yards on 34 carries this season,

"Myself and I think [running backs coach] Kennedy Polamalu certainly has a trust in that kid," offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski said. "He goes out there and he performs.