Purple Headlines of the Week: Vikings Stars Are Back, Harrison Phillips’ Nomination, the Complicated Week 14 QB Decision
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings will get back in action this weekend as they take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Prior to that game, it’s been a busy week for the team as they’ve tried to recuperate following their Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears before their bye. As their return to the field approaches, here is a look at all of the purple headlines from the past week.
Vikings Stars Set to Return to the Field
The Vikings are starting to get healthy at the perfect time ahead of the final five weeks of the season. Both Akayleb Evans and Justin Jefferson did not have an injury status on Friday, meaning both players are set to suit up on Sunday.
T.J. Hockenson did not appear on an injury report all week either, indicating that he is fully healthy from his rib injury. For a Vikings team that has been banged up virtually all season, this is a great sign. However, RG Ed Ingram was listed as questionable, so that will be a situation to watch heading into the game.
Vikings Nominate Harrison Phillips for Walter Payton Man of the Year
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they would be nominating defensive lineman Harrison Phillips as their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
Phillips’ organization, Harrison’s Playmakers, offers year-round sports programs for children with developmental differences and special needs in three different cities: Buffalo, Minneapolis, and Omaha. A well-deserved nomination for a player who has done tons of work in his communities.
A Complicated QB Decision Was Finalized…for Now
One big question coming into Week 14 revolved around the Vikings’ quarterback position. Kevin O’Connell was non-committal to Josh Dobbs following Minnesota’s Week 12 loss to the Chicago Bears, but in the end, it seems the Vikings are going to give Dobbs one more opportunity.
Kevin O’Connell announced as such on Wednesday before their first official practice of the week, but he also spent a good chunk of time during his presser talking about Nick Mullens. If there are struggles from Dobbs, could we see Mullens or even Jaren Hall step onto the field? Hopefully we don’t need to find out.
In Case You Missed It…
As usual, we have an extra list of reading material for the especially studious Vikings fans. Happy reading!
- The Wild Ride Continues: Minnesota’s Week 10 QB2 Is Now Employed by Seattle
- Raiders Promote a Former Viking Ahead of Week 14 Showdown
- Previewing This Week’s Vikings Game: Week 14 at Las Vegas Raiders
- 2024 Vikings Mock Draft: Minnesota Takes Their Shot at a QB and Beefs Up the Trenches
The View from VT: Hints about a QB, The Official Shuffle, & Looking Different in W14
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.