Vikings’ Cook, Jefferson selected to 2021 NFL Pro Bowl
Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Detroit Lions linebacker Reggie Ragland, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Minneapolis.[Jim Mone/Associated Press]
Running back Dalvin Cook and rookie wide receiver Justin Jefferson are the only Vikings to be named to the NFC Pro Bowl team.
Cook was the top vote-getter among fan voting for NFC running backs. Cook leads the NFL with 1,833 yards from scrimmage and is tied for first with 15 rushing touchdowns. It is his second straight Pro Bowl selection.
Jefferson joins Randy Moss and Sammy White as the only Vikings wide receivers to reach the Pro Bowl in their rookie season.
The 22nd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft leads all rookie receivers with 1,182 yards and the total ranks eighth in the league entering Week 16. Jefferson also ranks sixth in the NFL among qualified receivers entering Week 16 with an average of 16.2 yards per reception (1,182/73).
Coming off Week 15, Jefferson set the franchise rookie receptions record (73), breaking the previous mark of 69 set by Hall of Famer Randy Moss in 1998.
The 2021 Pro Bowl Game originally was scheduled to be played Jan. 31 in Las Vegas, but was canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the NFL is working with EA Sports to create a week-long series of matchups featuring celebrities, NFL Legends, current players and streamers playing the official Pro Bowl rosters on Madden NFL 21. The week culminates in a virtual Pro Bowl game with 2021 Pro Bowl players playing within Madden, which will be available for fans to watch across a variety of platforms.