Vikings Week 15 Injury Report a Mixed Bag
Dustin Baker
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While the Minnesota Vikings were conducting a slim 3-0 win in Las Vegas on Sunday, the injuries stockpiled beyond belief.
One after another, players hit the turf and left the game, or in Justin Jefferson’s case, went to the hospital.
Vikings Week 15 Injury Report a Mixed Bag
So, all eyes turned to the injury report Tuesday, the Vikings’ first practice of the week, and the document was a mixed bag, with four days to go before the club travels to Cincinnati for a meeting with the 7-6 Bengals.
Chiefly, Justin Jefferson is questionable and was limited in a walkthrough to start the week. Like the last month or so, Jefferson’s status for gameday is up in the air.
Here’s the full introductory injury report:
- Ed Ingram (RG) — Limited (Hip)
- Justin Jefferson (WR) — Limited (Chest)
- Dalton Risner (LG) — Limited (Ankle)
- Alexander Mattison (RB) — DNP (Ankle)
- Jalen Nailor (WR) — DNP (Concussion)
- Brian O’Neill (RT) — DNP (Ankle)
Last week, Ingram missed the Raiders matchup, and veteran Blake Brandel filled in — somewhat admirably. Pro Football Focus suggested his pass protection was quite decent. Risner was hurt, as well, but returned to the game, indicating he’ll eventually be all-systems-go in Cincinnati.
Mattison is a different story, as not practicing Tuesday isn’t a good start for the Week 15 outlook. If he cannot play, Ty Chandler would man RB1 duties with a side dish of kick returner Kene Nwangwu.
Nailor, a second-year Viking, didn’t practice either, meaning he could be a scratch for Saturday. We shall see. Brandon Powell and K.J. Osborn would have to pick up the slack if Nailor were out.
In addition to Jefferson Watch, O’Neill’s status should be monitored with enhanced interest. He’s one of the NFL’s best right tackles and is not seamlessly replaceable. Veteran David Quessenbery would get the nod if O’Neill cannot play. Quessenberry performed well in reservist duty for Christian Darrisaw in November and again on Sunday in Las Vegas.
But, on the whole, the Vikings’ orbit is again seized by Jefferson’s status. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year took a brutal hit from Raiders’ safety Marcus Epps, a former Viking — about 45 minutes after returning to the field for the first time since October 8th — and that put a bad bow on his return.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Monday, “Vikings’ HC Kevin O’Connell considers WR Justin Jefferson day-to-day with the chest injury he suffered Sunday vs. the Raiders and the team believes he has a chance to play Saturday vs. the Bengals.”
Ergo, it’s a wait-and-see on Jefferson. This injury, though, isn’t as serious as the hamstring malady from October and November.
The Vikings will roll with quarterback Nick Mullens at Cincinnati, his 18th career start.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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