It’s an infirmary.
And that doesn’t even apply to Minnesota Vikings injured reserved list, identifying players out for the year, like Kirk Cousins, Cam Akers, T.J. Hockenson, and D.J. Wonnum, among others.
The Vikings Injury Report Is So Chunky
The Vikings’ Week 17 injury report is chunky and can fairly be coined an infirmary by itself.
Oct 23, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) celebrates his first down against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota released this group of injured individuals on Wednesday, four days before hosting the Green Bay Packers in a game where the loser is virtually eliminated from postseason contention:
Jordan Addison (WR, ankle): Did not practice
Mekhi Blackmon (CB, shoulder/illness): Did not practice
Theo Jackson (S, toe): Did not practice
Byron Murphy (CB, knee): Did not practice
Jalen Nailor (WR, concussion): Did not practice
Jaquelin Roy (DT, ankle): Did not practice
Sheldon Day (NT, ankle): Limited
Troy Dye (LB, wrist): Limited
Alexander Mattison (RB, ankle): Limited
Harrison Phillips (DL, back): Limited
Brian O’Neill (RT, ankle): Full
Ivan Pace (LB, shoulder): Full
It’s the Vikings’ largest initial injury report of 2023, inconveniently occurring before the team’s first backs-against-the-wall matchup. Minnesota must defeat Green Bay in Week 17, Detroit in Week 18, and ask the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks to lose a single game in the next two weeks if it wants to reach the postseason. The same win-out-and-hope-for-LAR-or-SEA-loss stakes follow the Packers.
Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (5) intercepts a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston (not pictured) in front of wide receiver Chris Olave (12) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The injury report should clear up by Friday, to the tune of 75% of those players ultimately playing on New Year’s Eve against the Packers. But the men at the top of the last are particularly concerning.
Addison was injured in the loss to Detroit and is day-to-day with the ankle injury. If he cannot play this weekend, the Vikings will need robust performances from K.J. Osborn and Brandon Powell. But neither man possesses Addison’s explosive skillset.
Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
Blackmon, a cornerback, would be a considerable scratch, mainly because Murphy didn’t play against the Lions or practice on Wednesday. The worst-case scenario for the Vikings at cornerback would be some combination of Akayleb Evans, Andrew Booth, and Jaylin Williams.
Jackson, Nailor, and Roy (the other DNPs) are role players and wouldn’t signify a game-derailing detriment if unavailable. And the rest of the players have a decent chance of playing in Week 17.
Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
But the showstoppers per this report — Addison, Blackmon, and Murphy — should be monitored with the utmost attention, especially if one believes the Vikings can still reach the playoffs.
Minnesota is favored by two points to prevail over Green Bay. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is expected to name a starting quarterback on Thursday or Friday.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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