More Vikings Exited Week 10 with Injuries
The Minnesota Vikings were back at U.S. Bank Stadium in Week 10 for a matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
The game resulted in a fifth consecutive victory for Minnesota after they were able to stave off a New Orleans comeback effort in the second half, ending 27-19 in favor of the Vikings.
However, the win came with even more Vikings leaving the game due to injuries. This time around, all three of Akayleb Evans, Jordan Hicks, and Alexander Mattison would leave in the second half and not return.
More Vikings Exited Week 10 with Injuries
For Mattison, the Vikings ruled him out with a concussion after he left and went into the medical tent. Kevin O’Connell also confirmed the injury during his postgame press conference.
Mattison had been Minnesota’s RB1 throughout the season, but with the injury, Ty Chandler actually led the Vikings out of the backfield during Sunday’s victory with a team-high 15 carries for 45 yards and a touchdown.
If the running back were to miss Week 11 (as is what happened to Jaren Hall and K.J. Osborn this weekend), that would put Chandler fully in the driver’s seat for Minnesota’s matchup against the Broncos.
Both Evans and Hicks are dealing with leg injuries as Evans left the game with a calf injury, and Hicks suffered a lower leg contusion. O’Connell did not say how much time either player would miss, if any.
As a result of Evans leaving the game, the Vikings played Mekhi Blackmon and Andrew Booth at cornerback throughout portions of the second half. The rookie Blackmon came down with his first NFL interception in the fourth quarter to make the most of his extra playing time.
However, neither player will be easy to replace if they were to miss time. Hicks has rejuvenated himself into one of the best off-ball linebackers in the NFL this season in Brian Flores’ system, and Evans continues to build on his reputation as one of the hardest hitting cornerbacks in the league.
Regardless, the Vikings do have depth on their roster, and they’ve proven time and time again that this is a team capable of overcoming adversity when it’s thrown their way.
Minnesota will release its first official Week 11 injury report on Wednesday, so that will provide a clearer update as to how this trio of players is progressing ahead of the Vikings matchup against the Broncos.
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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.