Who’s Out? Who’s In? | Vikings-Texans

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The Minnesota Vikings upset the San Francisco 49ers last weekend, winning the Week 2 contest by a score of 23-17.

Who’s Out? Who’s In? | Vikings-Texans

Next up? Minnesota hosts the Houston Texans this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Minnesota’s injury report is a little spottier this week than past editions. But such is life as the season wears on.

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Overall, the Vikings are decently healthy to start the season, a tendency that isn’t necessarily widespread around the league. They’ll still be without some key players, though.

These are each team’s injured players one day before Week 3.

Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Vikings Injury Report

  • Jordan AddisonOUT (WR, Ankle)
  • Ivan Pace Jr.OUT (ILB, Quad/Ankle)
  • Dallas TurnerOUT (OLB, Knee)

Justin Jefferson (WR), Brian O’Neill (RT), Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB), and Garrett Bradbury (C) were limited in practice this week but carry no injury designation to Week 3.

Long-term Injuries

  • Mekhi Blackmon, CB (Knee, Out for season)
  • Jeremy Flax, OL (Out for season)
  • T.J. Hockenson, TE (Knee, Out at least 2 more games)
  • Jordan Kunaszyk, LB (Out for season)
  • J.J. McCarthy, QB (Knee, Out for season)
  • Gabriel Murphy, OLB (Out at least 2 more games)
  • Dalton Risner, OG (Back, Out at least 2 more games)
  • Najee Thompson, CB (Knee, Out for season)

Texans Injury Report

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (28) rushes the ball Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, during a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. © Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK.
  • Dameon PierceOUT (RB, Hamstring)
  • Joe Mixon — DOUBTFUL (RB, Ankle)
  • Jarrett PattersonQUESTIONABLE (C, Calf)
  • Juice ScruggsQUESTIONABLE (C, Calf)
  • M.J. StewartQUESTIONABLE (S, Knee)

Azeez Al-Shaair (LB), Kris Boyd (CB), Nico Collins (WR), Foley Fatukasi (DT), Kamari Lassiter (CB), and Dalton Schultz (TE) were limited in practice this week but will enter Sunday with no injury designation.

The Vikings are 1.5-point underdogs to the Texans in Week 3. The Texans have never beaten the Vikings, losing five times in the last two-plus decades. Minnesota has had their number since Houston came into existence.

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

Vikings-Texans will also feature several reunion and revenge angles. Stefon Diggs, Danielle Hunter, Cam Akers, and Kris Boyd previously played for Minnesota, whereas Jonathan Greenard and Blake Cashman played for the Texans last year. The clubs have gobs of intertwining storylines.

Minnesota’s Super Bowl probability has climbed from +8000 to +4500 in the last two weeks, a signal that oddsmakers are beginning to buy what the purple team is selling. Few predicted a 2-0 record to start the season, and virtually no one prognosticated 3-0. But that’s within Minnesota’s grasp this weekend.

Kevin O’Connell is 6-4 (.600) against AFC teams since taking over the organization in 2022.


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.