Injury Attention Turns to One Vikings Player in Week 15
Another sweet footnote to the Minnesota Vikings’ commanding win over the Atlanta Falcons last weekend? The injuries didn’t pile up.
Injury Attention Turns to One Vikings Player in Week 15
And that was quite important for a team already missing Christian Darrisaw, Mekhi Blackmon, J.J. McCarthy, and Ivan Pace Jr. at the moment. Unless something bubbles to the surface on Wednesday and Thursday’s first injury report, the Vikings-Falcons tryst came out relatively clean for purple injuries.
Nevertheless, heading into a Week 15 date with the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football, all eyes turn to starting cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who missed Sunday’s win over Atlanta with a hamstring injury. The Bears showcase pass-catchers like Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and Rome Odunze, so Gilmore’s availability will be paramount.
When Gilmore injured his hamstring in a win over the Arizona Cardinals nine days ago, it seemed the Vikings would take his recovery cautiously. Minnesota has an 11-2 record through 14 weeks, firmly positioned to reach the playoffs and with hope of clinching a spot this Sunday with a dub.
After the Week 13 win over Arizona, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “Kevin O’Connell said he is hoping the Vikings avoided a longer-term hamstring injury for CB Stephon Gilmore by holding him out after he suffered it.”
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling added, “Kevin O’Connell said Stephon Gilmore was thinking about coming back in, but the Vikings kept him out with his left hamstring injury. He’s hopeful Gilmore won’t be out long. Right knee injury for Pat Jones II, who returned.”
Therefore, it didn’t seem like Gilmore’s absence would be prolonged. This week’s practice sessions will be the test and indicator.
Without Gilmore on Sunday, the Vikings leaned heavily on Fabian Moreau, who played wonderfully after a suspect performance in Week 13. Moreau, a seasoned veteran with ample starting experience, banked a magnificent 75.1 Pro Football Focus grade versus Atlanta, totaling 27 coverage snaps. The man bounced back — that’s what veterans often do.
Rookie Dwight McGlothern played a little bit, too, seeing 4 coverage snaps against Kirk Cousins and friends, tabulating a 64.9 PFF mark in the limited sample.
While Moreau delivered in Week 14 and McGlothern could morph into a starter-caliber corner in the future, the Vikings’ lives will be much easier if Gilmore is available for Monday Night Football.
Gilmore is a five-time Pro Bowler.
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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. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings 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 are provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information is provided by OverTheCap.com.
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