Chris Cook injury update: Vikings CB says he'll return in 2012

Minnesota Vikings cornerback Chris Cook expects to play again this season despite currently being on the injured reserve with a broken right arm, Tom Pelissero of 1500 ESPN writes. The 25-year-old has been out since suffering the injury while trying to tackle Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin on Oct. 25.

When the Vikings placed Cook on the injured reserve one day after the injury occurred, they did so with designation to return -- that means the cornerback can return to the field this season once he's sat out six weeks of practice and eight weeks of actual game time.

As Cook told Pelissero, that means he'll be eligible to return to the field on Dec. 23 when the Vikings visit the Houston Texans. That would also presumably allow Cook to play in the team's regular season finale the following week against the Green Bay Packers.

The 34th overall pick in the 2010 draft, Cook has been making steady progress in his recovery, but he's still avoided activities that require his hands, such as weightlifting. Over the first eight games of the season, he recorded 31 tackles, five defended passes and one sack, all career-highs.