The 10 Vikings Currently on IR
The Minnesota Vikings have gone through more than their fair share of injuries this season.
The latest of the major injuries came earlier this week when Minnesota announced that defensive lineman Dean Lowry would be headed to IR because of a torn pectoral muscle. Here is a look at all 10 Vikings who currently sit on injured reserve.
QB Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins was well on his way towards having one of the best seasons of his career before he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings QB had thrown for 2331 yards and 18 TDs compared to only 5 interceptions this season and was on pace to approach 5000 yards and 40 TDs this year.
Luckily, the Vikings have found serviceable production from Josh Dobbs in the absence of Cousins, and they will need the new starter to continue playing well if they want to navigate their way into the playoffs.
WR Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson has been on a quest to become the first receiver to record 2000 receiving yards since the beginning of last season. Unfortunately, that journey was cut short this season during Minnesota’s Week 5 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jefferson went to IR following that Week 5 loss with a hamstring injury and hasn’t been on the field since. Prior to the injury, Jefferson had been off to a blazing start with 36 receptions for 571 yards and 3 receiving TDs.
LB Jordan Hicks
Coming into the 2023 season, the Vikings needed a big season from Jordan Hicks after the team opted to release veteran LB Eric Kendricks during the offseason. Hicks had done just that through the first 10 weeks of the season, recording 87 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a sack, 4 passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Then, Hicks went to IR after a lower leg contusion in Week 10 against the Saints required a procedure to relieve some of the pressure that had built up in his shin. Without Hicks, the Vikings now turn towards Ivan Pace, Troy Dye, and Anthony Barr to hold down the fort at the position.
OT Oli Udoh
Oli Udoh got some guff for his play at right guard during the 2021 season, but the offensive lineman has proven valuable at the tackle spots during his career. Unfortunately, his season came to an end in Week 2 after a quad injury suffered in Week 2 against the Eagles as he filled in for Christian Darrisaw at the left tackle spot.
RB Cam Akers
When it became clear early in the season that the Vikings needed extra depth at the running back position, Minnesota made a trade to acquire Cam Akers from the Los Angeles Rams. Akers had played under Kevin O’Connell during a portion of his stint in LA, including the 2021 Super Bowl season.
Akers put together 38 carries for 138 yards and Minnesota’s first rushing touchdown of the season before tearing his Achilles in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Now, the Vikings are relying on Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler for the rest of the season.
OLB Marcus Davenport
The Vikings added Marcus Davenport in free agency hoping that he would be a replacement for Za’Darius Smith on their defense. However, that has not worked out for Minnesota because of Davenport’s injuries. The pass-rusher has played just four games this season and has not appeared since Week 6 against the Chicago Bears because of a high ankle sprain.
DL Dean Lowry
The latest addition to the injured reserve, Dean Lowry headed to IR following Minnesota’s Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos because of a torn pectoral muscle. Lowry has been a rotational piece on the defense all season, playing 237 snaps and making four starts. Now, players like Khyiris Tonga and Jaquelin Roy are going to need to step up moving forward.
DL James Lynch
The Vikings lost more depth on their defensive line before the season even began. James Lynch tore his ACL during August and was lost for the year. Last season, Lynch played 15 games and recorded 20 tackles for Minnesota. He will enter free agency this offseason.
WR Malik Knowles
Malik Knowles joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas State this offseason after recording 127 receptions for 1867 yards and 14 TDs with the Wildcats during his four-year collegiate career. However, he was lost for the season with a non-football injury. He was waived at the beginning of training camp but returned to the team and was placed on IR.
LB William Kwenkeu
William Kwenkeu had a chance to add some linebacker depth to the Vikings defense this season, but he went to IR after being hurt during Minnesota’s first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks. Kwenkeu joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent during 2022 and played in six games for Minnesota during last season.
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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.