It’s a Cracked Rib for Kirk Cousins
Dustin Baker
|
At some point in the Minnesota Vikings 17-9 win in Week 15, Kirk Cousins was hurt by a Chicago Bears defender — probably Viking killer, Akiem Hicks.
Cousins showed up on Minnesota’s first tentative injury report with a rib ailment. On Thursday, details became more precise, indicating Cousins fractured a rib.
The Vikings signal-caller practiced in full and is expected to play Sunday afternoon against Los Angeles, a game ripe with playoff implications. Because the New Orleans Saints unexpectedly beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last weekend, the Vikings margin for error [if they want to reach the postseason] shrunk. If the Vikings go 2-1 in the final three games, the Saints must lose to an NFC team while the Eagles and Washington Football Team drop one game apiece, too. Otherwise, Minnesota can “simply” win its final three games, and they’re in.
An injured Cousins will be a first for Minnesota. He’s never sniffed an injury report amid his Vikings career, remaining remarkably healthy since 2013. There is really no Minnesota precedent for how the 33-year-old performs while banged up. He could be fabulous, leading the Vikings to a seemingly mandatory win — or he could struggle “going off script” because of the injury, a characteristic Cousins is not necessarily known for.
He’ll also be without the engine to his offense, Dalvin Cook. The Vikings running back landed on the COVID reserve list, sending him to quarantine for at least 10 days. Cook is unvaccinated. Adam Thielen may or may not be ready, depending on his recovery from a high ankle sprain. And, of course, Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, and Irv Smith Jr. will not play.
This is the defense Minnesota will face, by the numbers:
It will not be easy, and the Vikings offensive output will be determined by how well Alexander Mattison gets in a groove in relief of Cook — and what version of Cousins is on the field. If the Vikings showcase a September, October, or early November version of Cousins, the team will be fine and can reasonably expect to win. But an edition of Cousins from the last few weeks will not get it done.
Win, lose, or draw, the Vikings must scoreboard-watch in Week 16 and probably thereafter. Their playoff fate is intertwined with the aforementioned Saints, Eagles, 49ers, and Football Team.
The point spread climbed by a half of a point in favor of the Rams (-3.5) with the news of Cook’s absence.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
You must be logged in to post a comment.