7 Starters Land on Vikings Injury Report
The Minnesota Vikings claimed after their Week 14 win over the Washington Commanders that they escaped the shutout triumph in good health. The first Week 15 injury painted a markedly different picture.
Seven Vikings starters landed on the injury report ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Cowboys, raising questions about lineup stability.
Seven starters found their way onto the document — not including men who had rest days. Therefore, like many weeks and weekends this season, fans will wait in suspense for a gameday health verdict.
Week 15 Vikings Report = Huge. Again.
The first injury report last week had 15 names; this week’s has 15 names.
The Starters with DNP & Limited Labels
With two more practices before final Week 15 designations, these starters practice in a limited capacity or not at all:
- Christian Darrisaw (LT, Knee, DNP)
- T.J. Hockenson (TE, Shin, DNP)
- Jordan Addison (WR, Achilles, LP)
- Donovan Jackson (LG, Ankle, LP)
- Theo Jackson (S, Neck, LP)
- Aaron Jones (RB, Shoulder, LP)
- Josh Mettelus (S, Shoulder, LP)
Of course, Minnesota has approximately 1 in 1,000 odds of reaching the playoffs, so a ginormous injury report isn’t quite as deadly as it could be. But the Vikings would like to finish the season on a high note, complete with J.J. McCarthy’s improvement and development in plain view.
A healthy lineup assists that mission.
The Non-Starters
The list on Wednesday was 15 men deep. These are the non-starters who hit the first injury report:
- Levi Drake Rodriguez (DT, Neck, LP)
- Ty Chandler (RB, Knee, FP)
Rodriguez notably missed last Sunday’s game against the Commanders when his team creamed Jayden Daniels and Co. by a score of 31-0. But the young defensive lineman didn’t practice at all in Week 14, so Wednesday’s limited practice should be considered an upgrade and an overall positive sign.
Chandler, too, should be back on the gameday roster this weekend or next. He’ll likely take on an RB4 role, in addition to some kick return duties.
The Resting Guys
These players received a veteran rest day:
- Jonathan Allen (DT)
- Javon Hargrave (DT)
- Justin Jefferson (WR)
- Ryan Kelly (C)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
- Harrison Smith (S)
Veteran rest days are standard, and there is no cause for concern regarding any of the six men listed above. They’ll suit up Sunday night at Dallas, barring freak practice injuries in the next two days.
The Cowboys Await
Minnesota will face an utterly desperate Cowboys team clinging to its very playoff life. Entering Week 15, Dallas has an 11% chance of reaching the dance, according to The New York Times. If Brian Schottenheimer and friends topple Minnesota, those odds climb to 25%. A loss would virtually eliminate the Cowboys.
Should Dallas win its next four games, it would encounter about 50% math of reaching the playoffs.
With a potent offense and shaky defense, plus homefield advantage in primetime against a green quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, it’s all on the line for Dak Prescott’s squad.
More Cowboys Outlook
Blogging the Boys‘ Sean Martin wrote this week about the Week 15 showdown, “The reality of the Cowboys staying in NFC North play for this Sunday night’s return home versus the Vikings is that if the team wasn’t already in must-win mode against the Lions, they are beyond any shadow of a doubt now.”
“Both teams will be experiencing the full force of how feelings change from week to week in this league. The Cowboys are off an emotional loss at the Lions with letdowns and blame to go around in all three phases, while the Vikings will be looking for a second straight win against the NFC East.”
Sportsbooks believe the Vikings will lose by five or six points.
“Minnesota snapped a four-game losing streak with a 31-0 win against the Washington Commanders in Week 14. It was only the Vikings’ second win in an eight-week window, where their only other win was at the Lions in Week 9. The Vikings are playing their first road game at the Cowboys since 2019, which was also a Sunday night game they won 28-24,” Martin continued.
“Since then, the Cowboys have won three straight, all at the Vikings between 2020-22. The Cowboys will be looking to prolong their Hail Mary odds at the playoffs with some more home cooking down the stretch of this season, and know a thing or two about beating the Vikings with a Hail Mary.”
Minnesota would need to win out, ask the Chicago Bears to lose four games, have the Detroit Lions lose three (beat CHI), request an extra Cowboys loss after Week 15, and watch for two Carolina Panthers losses to reach the postseason.
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