Vikings Stars Are Getting Healthy at the Perfect Time
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings are coming off their bye week, and with a 6-6 record, they need to play with a sense of urgency when they take on the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
It just so happens that many of the Vikings stars are also getting healthy at the perfect time as we head into the final five weeks of the regular season as indicated by the first injury report of Week 14. Hopefully, that will lead to a rejuvenated performance from the offense as well as more stellar play from the defense down the stretch of the season.
Vikings Stars Are Getting Healthy at the Perfect Time
Here is a look at the Vikings’ injury report for Wednesday:
- CB Akayleb Evans (Calf, Full)
- S Theo Jackson (Illness, DNP)
- WR Justin Jefferson (Hamstring, Full)
- RB Kene Nwangwu (Concussion, Limited)
- CB NaJee Thompson (Knee, Limited)
- DL Khyiris Tonga (Knee, Full)
Most notably, for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 5, Justin Jefferson was listed as a full participant in practice on Wednesday. The star receiver missed seven games with his injury, but he seems set to return to the field this weekend to begin the Vikings’ final push for the playoffs.
T.J. Hockenson is another player who has been banged up over the past few weeks, but he was taken off the injury report entirely on Wednesday, indicating that this past bye week was exactly what he needed in order to fully heal from that lingering rib injury.
Even while dealing with injury, Hockenson showed incredible grit and didn’t miss a single game. More impressively, he’s played some of the best football of his career in the absence of Jefferson. Over the past seven games, the Pro Bowl tight end has recorded 50 receptions for 532 yards and 3 TDs.
If we take a look at the other side of the ball, there are further signs of improved health heading into Week 14. CB Akayleb Evans has missed the past two games with a calf injury, but he was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s practice as well. As long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks throughout the week, he should be able to return to the field this weekend.
Mekhi Blackmon has been getting the bulk of the snaps in Evans’ place, and the rookie performed valiantly as the starter. Over the past two games, PFF has give Blackmon grades of 64.2 in Week 11 against the Broncos and 76.6 in Week 12 against the Bears. He was actually the third-highest graded Vikings player against Chicago.
Still, it will be great to get Evans back in the mix if he is able to go this week. He has earned a reputation as one of the hardest-hitting cornerbacks in the NFL this season and has forced 3 fumbles on the year while also defending 5 passes.
The Vikings will release two more injury reports on Thursday and Friday before they take on the Raiders in Sin City at 3:05 PM Central on Sunday, December 10th.
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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.