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Vikings CB Chris Cook Arrested For Domestic Assault

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (WCCO) – On the eve of the border battle between the Vikings and the Packers, cornerback Chris Cook in is jail after being arrested early Saturday morning.

Police were called to Cook's Eden Prairie townhouse on the 6400 block of Regency Lane just before 2:00 a.m. Police said a neighbor called 911 after hearing yelling and screaming coming from Cook's home.

Police later arrested Cook on suspicion of domestic assault.

The victim was allegedly Cook's girlfriend. But a man who answered the door at his townhouse and identified himself as Cook's best friend said the incident was a misunderstanding and will be cleared up soon. He also said Cook's girlfriend does not want to press charges.

Cook faces charges of domestic assault by strangulation, which is a felony, and fifth-degree domestic assault.

The Vikings won't comment on the incident, but released a statement saying, "The Minnesota Vikings are aware of the incident involving Chris Cook. We take this matter very seriously and are still gathering all the details about the incident."

A Vikings official did confirm that Cook will not play against the Packers, and the Vikings.com injury report labels Cook as out of the game.

The secondary is already down two players as Antoine Winfield is listed as doubtful with a neck injury and safety Jamarca Sanford is doubtful after suffering a concussion last Sunday night against the Chicago Bears.

Cook is in his second year with the Vikings, but Saturday's incident is his third recorded run-in with the law. In 2008 he was charged with possession of marijuana. And on March 13, he was arrested and charged after an altercation with a neighbor, but was later cleared of any wrong-doing. Cook is being held without bail and is expected to appear in court on Monday. For Vikings fans, the news is disappointing and disturbing.

"Yeah, it is because it's a continuing thing I think. It's disheartening," said fan Vikings Josh Teske.

Cook has not been formally charged, but he is being held on probable cause at the Hennepin County Jail.

Eden Prairie police are still investigating what happened, and Cook could be formally charged in Hennepin County on Monday.

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