๐Ÿš‘ Infirmary Report | Vikings-Colts ๐Ÿš‘

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings lost their second straight game on Thursday Night Football in Week 8, a 30-20 defeat at the Los Angeles Rams.

๐Ÿš‘ Infirmary Report | Vikings-Colts ๐Ÿš‘

Next up is the Indianapolis Colts, a club showcasing a 4-4 record.

Minnesota’s injury report actually looks quite promising, all things considered, if one subtracts season-ending injuries to J.J. McCarthy, Mekhi Blackmon, and Christian Darrisaw.

Infirmary Report
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Overall, the Vikings are decently healthy at this point on the calendar, a tendency that isn’t necessarily widespread around the league.

These are each team’s injured players one day before Week 9.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.

Vikings Injury Report

  • Blake Cashman โ€” OUT (LB, Toe)
  • Taki Taimani โ€” OUT (DT, Ankle)
  • Akayleb Evans โ€” QUESTIONABLE (CB, Hip)
  • Dalton Risner โ€” QUESTIONABLE (OG, Back)

T.J. Hockenson (TE), Theo Jackson (S), Josh Oliver (TE), and David Quessenberry (OT) were sprinkled a bit on the injury report this week but carry no injury designation to Week 9.

Long-term Injuries

  • Mekhi Blackmon, CB (Knee, Out for season)
  • Christian Darrisaw, LT (Knee, Out for season)
  • Jeremy Flax, OL (Out for season)
  • Jordan Kunaszyk, LB (Out for season)
  • J.J. McCarthy, QB (Knee, Out for season)
  • Gabriel Murphy, OLB (Eligible to return from IR but practice window not opened)
  • Najee Thompson, CB (Knee, Out for season)

Colts Injury Report

Christine Tannous USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images.
  • Bernhard Raimann โ€” OUT (LT, Concussion)
  • Kwity Paye โ€” QUESTIONABLE (EDGE, Hamstring)

Gerard Avery (DE), Josh Downs (WR), Ryan Kelly (C), Chris Lammons (DB), Michael Pittman (WR), Anthony Richardson (QB), and Braden Smith (OT) were limited in practice this week but will enter Sunday with no injury designation.

The Vikings are five-point favorites to defeat the Colts in Week 9. Minnesota has a lousy 8-18-1 (.314) against Indianapolis since 1961.

Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.

All NFC North teams have at least four wins through Week 8, and each has a winning record. Even the “last place” Chicago Bears could flirt with a Wildcard playoff spot.

Minnesota’s Super Bowl probability has climbed from +8000 to +2100 in the last nine weeks, a signal that oddsmakers are beginning to buy what the purple team is selling. Nobody anywhere predicted Minnesota to be 5-2 at this point on the calendar. Instead, most would’ve guessed 2-5 if forced to predict.

The last time the Vikings played the Colts, Minnesota fired up the largest comeback in NFL history.

Indianapolis is a balanced club, ranking 19th per offensive EPA/Play and 15th defensively. They’re not a bad football team.

When Minnesota beat Indianapolis in 2022, it was the first win over the Colts since 1997.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.