Vikings Next Opponent Is Banged Up
The Minnesota Vikings really need a win in Week 7, and a little luck might accompany the mission.
Bittersweet indeed, Minnesota’s next opponent, the San Francisco 49ers, was ravaged by injuries in a last-second loss at the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.
Vikings Next Opponent Is Banged Up
And while San Francisco could still be close to full strength at U.S. Bank Stadium in one week on Monday Night Football, that feels like best-laid plans after Week 6.
The Cleveland Browns handed the 49ers their first loss of 2023, courtesy of a missed game-winning field goal by rookie kicker Jake Moody. The 49ers were 41 yards away from a 6-0 mark, but no cigar. Now, an angry 49ers team will invade Minneapolis under the lights of primetime, while the Vikings will be without wide receiver Justin Jefferson and possibly outside linebacker Marcus Davenport.
NFL Network‘s Clayton Holloway tweeted Monday afternoon about San Franicsco’s injuries, “49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gives injury updates on RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique/ribs) and WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder): CMC is currently having an MRI. Deebo will be day-to-day. Trent Williams (ankle) does not have a high-ankle sprain.”
So, that’s wait and see on these keynote players for the 49ers:
- Christian McCaffrey
- Deebo Samuel
- Trent Williams
Losing one or some of the men would dampen the 49ers gameplan on MNF, although San Francisco executes so well, it may not miss too many beats against the Vikings defense. We shall see.
McCaffrey is the most productive running back in the sport — maybe the most impactful player overall, never mind running back — and fantasy football managers will tell you all about it. Samuel is a Top 10 wide receiver who performs a Percy Harvin-like role on Kyle Shanahan’s team. And Williams is the best offensive tackle in the league.
That’s a lot of red meat on a single injury report.
Justin Jefferson will miss his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury, on the shelf for at least three more contests. Then on Sunday, pass rusher Marcus Davenport injured his lower leg, and his prognosis is unclear to start the week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell didn’t sound terribly optimistic about his injury recovery.
The 49ers are favored by a touchdown, injuries be damned, to defeat the Vikings in Week 7. San Francisco hasn’t won a game in Minneapolis since 1992, losing six straight at the Metrodome and U.S. Bank Stadium.
Beloved Former Viking Could Be Traded
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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