Vikings’ 1st Injury Report Already Bad for One Familiar Name
There’s still time in the week for it to change — the Minnesota Vikings don’t play until Monday night — but cornerback Stephon Gilmore’s Week 15 trajectory is not off to a promising start.
Vikings’ 1st Injury Report Already Bad for One Familiar Name
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling tweeted Thursday, four days before Minnesota’s tilt with the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium: “The Vikings held a walk-through on Thursday after a padded practice on Wednesday. Stephon Gilmore (hamstring) was still listed as a DNP in their first injury report of the week.”
Gilmore’s absence from a walk-through is wildly discouraging and an indicator that fans should expect a second consecutive missed game for the five-time Pro Bowler.
The Vikings won without Gilmore last weekend over Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons, though Gilmore will be needed before too long, especially when competition heats up against the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, and Detroit Lions in 10 days.
Sans Gilmore on Sunday, Minnesota started veteran corner Fabian Moreau, who responded adeptly after a forgettable relief performance in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. He recorded a sweet 75.1 Pro Football Focus grade versus Atlanta, totaling 27 coverage snaps. The man bounced back — that’s what veterans often do.
The Bears feature pass-catchers like Keenan Allen, D.J. Moore, and Rome Odunze, so Gilmore’s availability — or Moreau’s experience — will be critical. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams also hasn’t thrown an interception since mid-October despite his team’s generalized struggles.
When Gilmore injured his hamstring in a win over the Arizona Cardinals 11 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.”
It didn’t seem like Gilmore’s absence would be prolonged, but for now, Vikings fans are preparing for two missed games.
Rookie Dwight McGlothern played a little bit against the Falcons, too, seeing 4 coverage snaps and tabulating a 64.9 PFF mark in the limited sample.
The Vikings are favored to beat the Bears by a touchdown.
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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 provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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