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The Minnesota Vikings have informed running back Dalvin Cook that they plan to release him, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is reporting the same.

According to ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert, the Vikings are expected to try to trade Cook one more time on Thursday, and if they are unable to, they plan to process his release Friday. Either way, this will bring an end to Cook's six-year tenure in Minnesota.

The Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos are two teams that are expected to have an interest in signing Cook once he is released, sources told Schefter.

Cook, who turns 28 in August, was set to take up $14.1 million in cap space for 2023 and was due to earn $11 million if he spent the season with the Vikings. Those were big numbers for an aging running back who surpassed 1,500 touches in his career last season.

The Vikings would owe Cook $2 million if they release him. By doing so after June 1, the Vikings would save $9 million in cap space while taking on $5.1 million in dead money on their 2023 cap.

The long-rumored split seemed certain after the Vikings re-signed Cook's longtime backup, Alexander Mattison, to a contract that included $6.35 million in full guarantees over the next few seasons. Given multiple opportunities after that move, general manger Kwesi Adofo-Mensah refused to speculate on whether Cook would be on the Vikings' 2023 roster.

Mattison is expected to take over as the team's primary tailback, with 2022 backups Kene Nwangwu and Ty Chandler -- and possibly rookie DeWayne McBride -- competing for the No. 2 role. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said last month during organized team activities that Mattison has been demonstrating "that all-three-down kind of ownership that he's been capable of for a long time."

Cook underwent shoulder surgery Feb. 14 in hopes of avoiding the chronic separations he has suffered. At the time, the Vikings said he would be fully recovered in time for the regular season. He had not been participating in the voluntary portion of the Vikings' offseason program, and the timing of his departure means there will be no clash over whether he reports for mandatory minicamp later this month.

The 27-year-old RB has 5,993 career rushing yards and 47 touchdowns, plus another 1,794 receiving yards and five scores on 221 receptions in six seasons, all with the Vikings.

We'll be watching this one closely and follow up as needed.