Image courtesy of Vikings.com
The playing status of a few members of the Vikings offense was given some clarity on Friday. The final injury report of the week was released, and it only listed two players.
Adam Thielen (hamstring) was listed as doubtful. Thielen, who hasn’t played a full game since Week 6, will likely miss his fourth straight game. The talented receiver who first injured his hamstring during a Week 7 win at Detroit, was held out of practice this week to help nurse the injury. Assuming Thielen is unable to play, Bisi Johnson will once again start in his place.
The starting left tackle, Riley Reiff, was listed as questionable with a concussion. Reiff returned to practice today after missing the first two workouts of the week while in the protocol. Steady swing tackle Rashod Hill will replace Reiff If he’s unable to suit up on Sunday.
Noticeably absent from the injury report was star running back Dalvin Cook. Cook suffered a chest injury during the Vikings’ comeback victory over Denver two weeks ago, and re-aggravated the injury Monday night in Seattle. Cook said on KFAN that week that while the injury is painful, it cannot get worse and “can only get better.”
Against the Lions, Alexander Mattison could see the field a little more than normal in order to spell for Cook.