Minnesota Vikings backup running back Roc Thomas was arrested back in January after police found over five ounces of marijuana in his Minnesota apartment.
Police also found a handgun and almost $16,000 in cash. The NFL announced that Thomas will be suspended the first three games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
Thomas played in five games for the Vikings last season after starting running back Dalvin Cook continued to battle his injuries. Thomas recorded 30 yards in rushing for just eight attempts, and two catches for 21 yards. He is allowed to participate in the upcoming training camp and preseason games, but won’t be permitted to participate with the roster until September 23, the start of the week after the third game of the regular season.
Thomas will miss games against the Atlanta Falcons in Week One, an important division game against the Green Bay Packers, and a home game against the Oakland Raiders. He will be allowed to participate in the week of preparation ahead of a game against their division rivals, the Chicago Bears.
Cook leads the Vikings’ running game when he is not injured. But the Vikings also employ Ameer Abdullah, Alexander Mattison, Mike Boone and Khari Blasingame in their backfield. Abdullah and Cook take the majority of the in-game reps, but the other backups know they need to be ready, as Cook continues to battle his injury struggles.
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Cook was an easy Rookie of the Year candidate during the 2017 season before he tore his ACL. He ended up missing the remainder of the 2017 season. He played in 11 games last season, but had a consistently torn hamstring that significantly slowed down both his growth and the overall ability of his play.
Kirk Cousins and head coach Mike Zimmer finished 8-7-1 last season, thus finishing second in their NFC North division behind the 12-4 Chicago Bears. The Vikings held onto most of their talent in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, and will be looking to win the NFC North and make another playoff run.
