Vikings Injury Report Turns the Corner
Dustin Baker
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On Monday Night Football, a triumphant experience for the Minnesota Vikings, the club was without left guard Ezra Cleveland and wide receiver Jalen Nailor, while tight end T.J. Hockenson was hurt a couple of times throughout the contest and Jordan Addison encountered cramps.
Vikings Injury Report Turns the Corner
The Vikings won, nevertheless, defeating the San Francisco 49ers by five points and continuing a crawl out of the NFC’s North basement.
And although wide receiver Justin Jefferson and outside linebacker Marcus Davenport remain on injured reserve, this week’s injury report revealed positive news on Thursday.
The three question marks — Cleveland, Hockenson, and Nailor — were limited at practice, an enthusiastic turn of events, as a “Did Not Practice” would’ve intensified questions about their gameday readiness heading into Friday’s final practice.
Minnesota travels to Wisconsin this weekend for a date with the Green Bay Packers, a showdown with pick ’em odds, and the Vikings first meeting against Green Bay without Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers somewhere attached to the roster in 31 years.
The Vikings curiously didn’t need Cleveland to down the 49ers in Week 7, as newcomer lineman Dalton Risner filled in admirably. Now, with Cleveland trending to return after a one-game absence, Minnesota coaching staff must decide what to do with Risner, who very much resembled a starter on Monday Night Football.
Hockenson, on the other hand, will be damn near required to beat the Packers, mainly because Jefferson is out for at least two more games. The Pro Bowl TE opens the middle of the field for quarterback Kirk Cousins and posted a phenomenal game against the 49ers. Had Hockenson not practiced Thursday, fans’ Week 8 anxiety would’ve soared.
Finally, Nailor is the wildcard. He hasn’t played this season, nursing a hamstring injury, the same ailment besetting Jefferson at the moment. Nailor on the field, however, could aid the Vikings offense, as the Michigan State alumnus is known for speed and actually did some of his rookie damage at Green Bay in 2022.
Minnesota played just fine with a WR corps featuring Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, and N’Keal Harry on Monday night, but Nailor would inject speed if he returns from the hamstring absence.
Vikings backup linebacker Brian Asamoah did not practice Thursday, which isn’t too daunting because his 2023 snaps have been limited.
The Vikings are 8-7-1 (.531) versus the Packers since the start of 2015.
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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