Illness Runs Rampant on the First Vikings Injury Report

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The Vikings Wednesday injury report is out, and Vikings fans may need to sit down before seeing it. An illness is running rampant. Multiple stars were listed as DNPs this week as five players sat out Wednesday’s practice with what is being described as an “illness”. Here’s the full list of players on the first Vikings injury report of Week 14.

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  • C Garrett Bradbury- Limited (back)
  • DL Jonathan Bullard- DNP (bicep)
  • LT Christian Darrisaw- Limited (concussion)
  • FB C.J. Ham- DNP (illness)
  • EDGE Danielle Hunter- DNP (illness)
  • CB Theo Jackson- DNP (illness)
  • LB Eric Kendricks- Full (shoulder)
  • CB Patrick Peterson- DNP (illness)
  • S Harrison Smith- DNP (illness)

That’s a whopping nine players on the Wednesday injury report for the Vikings with six players listed as DNP.

First, here’s the positive news. Five of the six players that didn’t practice aren’t dealing with an actual injury, per se. They’re simply sick, so there are little long-term implications on this injury report. The only player that sat out with a traditional injury was Jonathan Bullard, who is recovering from a bicep injury. Seeing as it’s still only Wednesday, there’s at least a decent chance that this will all be in the rearview mirror by the end of the week.

That being said, don’t get things twisted. If the Vikings defense shows up in Detroit without Danielle Hunter, Patrick Peterson, or Harrison Smith, it’s going to be very difficult to win what is essentially an elimination game for the Lions.

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Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

On top of the illnesses, the Vikings now have multiple injuries on their starting offensive line. Both Christian Darrisaw (concussion) and Garrett Bradbury (back) were limited participants on Wednesday. With the Lions having a fierce defensive front, it would be a major challenge to go out there without two starters.

On the other side, it appears illness is also attacking the Lions locker room this week. They had a total of 10 players on their own injury report, including three that sat out with illness. Here’s their full list:

  • G Kayode Awosika- DNP (ankle)
  • LB Derrick Barnes- DNP (knee)
  • LT Taylor Decker- DNP (elbow)
  • S DeShon Elliott- DNP (ankle)
  • CB Jeff Okudah- DNP (illness)
  • C Frank Ragnow- DNP (foot)
  • WR Kalif Raymond- DNP (illness)
  • QB Nate Sudfeld- DNP (illness)
  • IOL Evan Brown- Limited (ankle)
  • RB D’Andre Swift- Limited (ankle)
Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions running back D’Andre Swift (32) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings middle linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during the second half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Lions had multiple stars show up on their injury report as well, including star offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow. Additionally, Jeff Okudah sat out with illness this week, and he is a big reason why the Lions limited Justin Jefferson to just three receptions and 14 yards in the two teams’ first meeting.

Overall, there is certainly reason to keep an eye on injury reports for both sides moving forward into Week 14. The two teams are scheduled to kickoff at Ford Field on Sunday, December 11th and 12 PM CST.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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