Another rookie who has landed a starting spot — at least for this week — is Vikings CB Chris Cook.

Cook is this week’s answer to start opposite Antoine Winfield as the Vikings seek to fill the right cornerback spot typically held by Cedric Griffin, who is recovering from a torn ACL and isn’t expected back in time for the regular-season opener. The Vikings are one of the teams who treat the third preseason game as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, and Cook is expected to start against the Seahawks on Saturday, according to The Star Tribune.

With Asher Allen appearing more likely to grab the role as nickel cornerback, the lost name in the mix has been veteran Lito Sheppard. Vikings DC Leslie Frazier indicated all three cornerbacks will get reps against the Seahawks, and then the coaching staff will try to come to a decision.

As for Griffin, Frazier said the cornerback is making progress, but there’s no timetable on his return to practice. If the Vikings activate Griffin from the active/PUP list, he would then become ineligible for the reserve/PUP list to start the season. Based partly on how Cook, Allen and Sheppard play this weekend, there might be no reason to rush Griffin.

“He is still in the rehab stage, and he hasn’t done any drills with our football team,” Frazier told reporters. “Everything is on the side, and it is hard to project what it is going to be like when he puts pads on and has to cover the wide receivers. I don’t know how much that factored into the decision.”

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