Vikings Receive Good News on Final Injury Report
Dustin Baker
|
The Minnesota Vikings are three-point underdogs on Sunday at home versus the New Orleans Saints. Oddsmakers don’t trust the Kirk Cousins-less Vikings, a squad that could also be without Justin Jefferson.
Vikings Receive Good News on Final Injury Report
Cousins was lost in Week 8 to a torn Achilles and won’t return in 2023. Jefferson, on the other hand, is officially questionable for Sunday’s Saints tryst, while most NFL pundits don’t expect Jefferson to play. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said this week that it would be “a little bit aggressive” to think the reigning Offensive Player of the Year will see the field this soon.
Meanwhile, Minnesota received positive news when the final injury report dropped Friday — left tackle Christian Darrisaw is off the list altogether.
Darrisaw missed Week 9 because of a groin injury, an ailment that fell out of the sky just one day before the Falcons showdown. Thankfully for the purple team’s sake, reservist LT David Quessenberry took Darrisaw’s spot and performed wonderfully, if that can be believed.
Newcomer quarterback Josh Dobbs will make his first formal start for the Vikings this weekend, and life sans Jefferson and Darrisaw — the two best offensive players — would’ve been a bit messy. For now, Darrisaw is on track to play, with Jefferson’s status questionable (but probably doubtful).
Tight end T.J. Hockenson is dealing with a rib and oblique injury, as the productive Viking has been unusually battered in recent weeks. He was a necessary game-changer against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, especially with all the injuries.
And heading into Vikings-Saints, Hockenson’s seems on track for Sunday. Reporters asked Hockenson Thursday if he would play in the pivotal NFC matchup, and the 26-year-old replied, “That’s the plan.”
Wideout K.J. Osborn was knocked out of the win over Atlanta, suffering a concussion and a generally scary moment at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He’s also questionable. If he cannot clear the concussion protocol, young wide receiver Jalen Nailor should be a full go.
Here’s the rest of the injury skinny:
Out:
QB Jaren Hall
Doubtful:
DT Dean Lowry
Questionable:
LB Brian Asamoah
TE T.J. Hockenson
WR Justin Jefferson
WR K.J. Osborn
OG Chris Reed
Injured Reserve:
RB Cam Akers
QB Kirk Cousins
OLB Marcus Davenport
LB William Kwenkeu
DL James Lynch
QB Nick Mullens
OT Oli Udoh
The Vikings have toppled the Saints four times in six tries since the start of 2017, notably ending New Orleans’ playoff dreams in 2017 and 2019.
Minnesota has a 71.4% playoff probably heading into the game, according to ESPN’s Power Football Index (FPI).
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.