Vikings Offense Will Be Without Three Players in Week 15 While Justin Jefferson Is Listed as Questionable

Josh Frey |

Dec 14, 2023

Nov 5, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Vikings are less than 48 hours away from their Week 15 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.

It is a very important game for both teams as they try to jostle for playoff positioning in their respective conferences over the final four weeks of the season. Ahead of the game, Minnesota has released their final injury report of the week, and it appears that the Vikings offense will be without three players, and despite declaring yesterday that he will play, Justin Jefferson is listed as questionable going into the weekend.

Vikings Offense Will Be Without Three Players

Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (2) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The three players that are out this weekend include RB Alexander Mattison, WR Jalen Nailor, and RT Brian O’Neill. Meanwhile, IOL Chris Reed is also listed as questionable alongside Jefferson. Luckily, there were no hiccups for RG Ed Ingram today, who sat out last weekend’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders with a hip injury.

Mattison’s ankle injury comes right as he was beginning to find his footing as the Vikings lead running back. Over the past three games, he has recorded 38 carries for 199 rushing yards, a clip of over five yards per carry.

Without their starting RB available, the Vikings will rely on Ty Chandler to be the leader in the backfield this weekend. It could also mean that DeWayne McBride gets elevated from the practice squad for the first time during his rookie season. The UAB product was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but he has not played a snap with the team yet this season.

Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler (32) celebrates his touchdown against the New Orleans Saints in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

O’Neill’s absence with his own ankle injury also provides some issues for Minnesota in pass protection. The Vikings are set to face off with a Bengals defense that features Trey Hendrickson, who has equaled Danielle Hunter’s 13.5 sacks through the first 14 weeks of the season.

Without O’Neill in the lineup, it seems that David Quessenberry will be in line to start on Saturday. He came into Week 14’s game at the right tackle spot when O’Neill initially suffered his ankle injury. Quessenberry also made a start at left tackle during Week 9 in relief of Christian Darrisaw.

Vikings Offense — Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill (75) during NFC practice for the Pro Bowl at Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Vikings enter the weekend with a 63.1% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. A win this weekend would go a long way towards improving those odds even more, but they will have to navigate their losses on offense in order to do so.

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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.