The Vikings Are Staring at a Rare Injury Situation in Week 12
The Minnesota Vikings will need a mini-miracle to reach the postseason after suffering back-to-back home losses in the last two weeks. That’s basically a translation to finish 6-1 in the final seven games, with the mission starting this Sunday at Lambeau Field. Along the way, Minnesota will boast an unusual injury situation: the team is mostly healthy.
The Vikings are staring at a rare Week 12 injury situation, creating optimism across the lineup as the team prepares for Green Bay.
A couple of players will carry Questionable statuses into the weekend, but on the whole, the club is healthier than at any point in 2025.
Overall Health for Vikings Surges as Team Nears Mathematical Elimination from Postseason Contention
The timing is bittersweet.
Who’s Out?
Here’s the joyous answer to this question — nobody. Not a single Viking is out for Sunday, aside from men like Rondale Moore (WR) and Jeff Okudah (CB), who are on injured reserve and can’t play in the first place.
Last week, for example, at this time on the calendar, outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard was ruled out. Minnesota doesn’t have that guaranteed-to-be-out situation in Week 12.
Ever so slowly and gently, the Vikings are climbing back to full health. And they’ll need it if they wish to construct an unforeseen win streak in order to reach the postseason.
The “Maybe” Guys for the Vikings
This article is titled: The Vikings Are Staring at a Rare Injury Situation in Week 12. Why is that?
Well, the aforementioned Greenard and center Ryan Kelly are listed as Questionable for the Packers tilt, and there’s momentum to suggest both will play. Greenard personally stated Thursday that he’s “super confident” that he’ll play on Sunday, and Kelly practiced fully throughout the week after sustaining his second concussion of the season a couple of months ago.
If Greenard and Kelly play — it feels like they will — Minnesota will have its entire starting lineup available for the first time in 2025. Yes, that’s a real statement.
Vikings.com‘s Craig Peters on the Week 12 injury report: “The Vikings basked in the sunshine on Friday, enjoying another session outdoors in preparation for facing the Packers (6-3-1) in Week 12 at Lambeau Field. Minnesota (4-6) listed outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard (shoulder) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion protocol) as questionable.”
“Greenard has been rehabbing a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 10 that prevented him from playing against Chicago in Week 11. Kelly has been in concussion protocol since Week 4 and is on Injured Reserve. Minnesota opened Kelly’s 21-day evaluation window last week. No other players on the injury report this week received a game status designation.”
The Packers Injury Report
Conversely, Green Bay’s injury report is a grizzly beast compared to Minnesota’s.
Packers.com‘s Wes Hodkiewicz wrote Friday, “The Packers have listed running back Josh Jacobs (knee) among six players questionable for Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Others also questionable are receivers Matthew Golden (shoulder/wrist), Savion Williams (foot) and Dontayvion Wicks (calf), and defensive linemen Karl Brooks (ankle) and Lukas Van Ness (foot).”
“Linebacker Quay Walker (neck) is doubtful while cornerback Nate Hobbs (knee) and receiver Jayden Reed (shoulder/foot) have been ruled out. The Packers opened Reed’s 21-day window to return from injured reserve on Friday. Jacobs left Sunday’s game against the New York Giants after 12 plays due to a bone bruise and thigh contusion he suffered in the game. After returning to practice Thursday in a limited capacity, Jacobs told reporters he expects the “worst-case scenario” is he’ll be back next Thursday against the Detroit Lions.”
Walker, Hobbs, and Reed out are a big deal — all starters. The Questionables are also worth tracking throughout the weekend. A pass-catching corps without Tucker Kraft (out for the season), Reed, Wicks, Golden, and Williams would be a bit dicey for quarterback Jordan Love.
The tide has turned for Minnesota overall. It was the team throughout most of the season with the lopsided injury report. This week, it’s Matt LaFleur’s club.
Key Matchup
Now that Minnesota is healthy or damn close, it’s time for J.J. McCarthy to at least kinda-sorta look the part of a franchise quarterback. Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the Vikings’ important matchup this weekend is McCarthy’s battle with the Packers’ secondary — and himself.
McCarthy has struggled with passing accuracy, and he must get a grip on the very basic quarterback requirement. If he does — 60% completion or better — Minnesota can win. If he does not, the purple team will lose.
Once again, it’s all eyes on McCarthy and his development in Week 12.
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