Vikings have a tryout with a running back

Heading into the year, the Vikings looked to have one of the better running back position groups in the league.

To some extent, that’s still the case. Vikings running back Dalvin Cook is one of — if not the — best running back in the NFL. Alexander Mattison is a serviceable backup and Mike Boone is one of the best third-string running backs in the league.

However, Mattison underwent an appendectomy, per Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune and others. He was out from the Jaguars game, and the team gave Cook a very heavy workload. He also received the DNP designation for Wednesday’s practice.

I’m not entirely sure why, but the Vikings have pretty much only leaned on Cook this year despite having capable running backs behind him. I mean, Cook’s great, but he could probably use a slightly lighter workload.

Now, the team has reported a tryout with a player who could either fill out a practice squad spot or possibly a reserve role.

Here is Minnesota’s tryout, per the daily NFL transactions wire:

Vikings tryout list

Photo: Isaiah J. Downing/USA TODAY Sports

Running back Khalfani Muhammad, out of California