Dalvin Cook's agent provides strange update to complicated legal situation

ESPN’s Adam Schefter originally reported that Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook had been named as a victim of domestic abuse and extortion on Tuesday evening. The situation became a lot more complicated following a late Tuesday report from the Minneapolis Star Tribune that detailed a lawsuit filed by Cook’s former girlfriend alleging emotional and physical abuse.

That ongoing legal situation became even muddier after Cook’s agent, Zach Hiller, released a statement on Wednesday afternoon trying to explain the accuser’s complaint.

“In Minnesota, a civil claim must be personally served on the Defendant prior to filing with the Court,” Hiller wrote. “Instead of following proper protocol, Mr. Cragg leaked a copy of the Summons and Complaint to the Star Tribune yesterday afternoon. Mr. Gragg then tried to electronically file the Summons and Complaint at 9:01 p.m. last evening. The Summons and Complaint was initially accepted by the Court through electronic filing system but has now been deemed deficient presumably because Mr. Cook has not been personally served and Mr. Cragg failed to file the requisite Affidavit of Service. We believe this information only further supports Mr. Cook’s claim that he is a victim of domestic abuse and extortion.”

Cook claims a female U.S. Military Sergeant broke into his house using a stolen garage door opener, then proceeded to attack both Cook and a guest at his residence. The military sergeant reportedly suffered injuries during the attack and allegedly tried to extort Cook for millions of dollars; however, the injuries she sustained — in an attack she started after breaking and entering — were not illegal on behalf of Cook and the guest.

Additional details emerge

More details emerged from the initial report later on Tuesday night. The woman involved, who Cook’s agent made out to be a random person, is actually Cook’s ex-girlfriend. According to the Star Tribune, she alleged Cook of physically abusing her, causing a concussion and holding her hostage in his home. The woman, Gracelyn Trimble, accused the Vikings running back of “giving me a concussion, leaving a scar on my face and taking me through hell.”

Trimble’s lawsuit includes text messages from Cook that said, “I know what I did can be rewind…If you wanna go to the police I’ll respect that I’ll take my punishment for what I did!”

Dalvin Cook remains eligible to play

During Cook’s media availability on Wednesday, he said he had not yet been in contact with the NFL and is still on track to play on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport explained why the Vikings’ running back is still eligible to play.

“To explain why Dalvin Cook is still eligible, to explain why he is still able to practice and play on Sunday — this goes back to the personal conduct policy,” Rapoport said. “The NFL did release a statement saying the matter is under review under the personal conduct policy and essentially that Cook’s status has not changed. The reason why is he is not charged with a crime.

“This is a civil matter as of right now and Cook has not been charged with a crime. If he does get charged with a violent crime or a felony, then, at that point, he would go on the Commissioner’s exempt list,” Rapoport continued. “Until that point, he is eligible to play and as far as the allegations, this is what we known right now based on a civil lawsuit filed last night. Dalvin Cook has been accused of assault, battery, and false imprisonment of a former girlfriend. Cook’s attorney responded by saying the former girlfriend actually broke into Cook’s house and assaulted two of the guests. Police were not called, no arrests were made, and the Vikings say they are gathering more information on the situation.”