One Viking Trending in Wrong Direction for Lions Game
The Minnesota Vikings have everything in their purview by regular season standards this Sunday night, facing the Detroit Lions for the NFC North crown, the NFC’s No. 1 seed, and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. It’s probably the most crucial regular season game in franchise history.
One Viking Trending in Wrong Direction for Lions Game
And for now, the franchise could be without the services of outside linebacker Patrick Jones II. The veteran defender didn’t practice on Wednesday, three days removed from a dirty hit by Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. He’s battling a bad knee.
Jones II can be considered questionable at the moment for Week 18, though his outlook doesn’t seem too promising.
The 26-year-old II has logged 24 quarterback pressures in 2024 and 7 sacks. He’s one of Minnesota’s somewhat unforeseen contributors this year, his fourth season with the Vikings. In fact, Jones II and his counterparts, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, have played “too well” that rookie EDGE Dallas Turner has experienced less defensive action.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis tweeted Monday, “Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said MIN got ‘really positive’ news on Pat Jones II. KOC said he’ll have the chance to get ready for Sunday night against the Lions.”
But the positive news might’ve meant Jones II didn’t tear something. His injury isn’t season-ending.
If Jones doesn’t play this Sunday — he probably won’t — Minnesota would presumably hand the baton to the aforementioned Turner. The 21-year-old has notched 2 sacks and an interception in the last three games and appears to have hit his groove with a little bit of playing time. And of all substitutes and alternatives in the event of injury, having Turner available to run wild is pretty fantastic.
Here’s the hit by Kraft on Jones II that caused the injury:
The Vikings showcase the NFL’s best defense per EPA/Play, an efficiency metric measuring expected wins added. Quarterback Sam Darnold has accounted for 36 touchdowns, so Minnesota has the tools necessary to take down the Lions, even without Jones II.
The Lions have been season-long Super Bowl darlings, favored to win the NFC for months. Minnesota has not toppled Detroit since early in the 2022 season, losing four straight to Dan Campbell and Co. The Vikings will have a chance to snap the streak and grab homefield advantage throughout the postseason.
Minnesota hasn’t clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed since 1998.
Jones II is tentatively scheduled to hit free agency in March. Inside linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill also missed practice Wednesday due to illness.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.