National Football League

Vikings' Cook aims to move past rough rookie year

Published Aug. 8, 2011 3:44 p.m. ET

foxsports

Chris Cook's promising start to his rookie season with the Minnesota Vikings was derailed by knee problems - namely the same injury to each one.

Cook says the experience was humbling. The cornerback first suffered a torn meniscus on his left knee during a preseason game and then a tear of the same cartilage on his right knee in a regular season game a month later.

The second-round draft pick from Virginia was in line to be the nickel back, but his own health kept him from stabilizing a secondary that was roughed up by injuries to others. Now the Vikings need him to be healthy - and productive - as they try to rebound from a 6-10 season.