Injury Report Week 14 ‒ Falcons at Vikings
The Vikings are really close to securing a playoff berth, with the possibility of clinching one this Sunday. We are far away from the chaos and the oddsmakers’ projected 6.5 wins. With the Vikings playing meaningful football in December, Kevin O’Connell will need everyone healthy to help this team make a playoff run next month.
Sadly for him, the Vikings have picked up quite a few injuries this past couple of weeks. The five active players with an injury designation for the game are the highest since Week 6, while the Falcons have three. Besides those five, four others appeared on the injury report this week.
Atlanta Falcons Injuries
The only player head coach Raheem Morris ruled out is third-string RB Jase McClellan, who has a knee injury. The two players questionable are rookie DT Ruke Orhorhoro and former Viking CB Mike Hughes. Orhorhoro was designated to return from IR this Wednesday after missing over a month with an ankle injury.
Hughes (neck) could also return after some time missed, with his last game being in Week 10. Orhorhoro was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, and Hughes was a full participant the whole week.
LB Troy Andersen (knee) was limited on Wednesday and upgraded to full the next two days. LB Nate Landman (hamstring) and DE Zach Harrison (Achilles) were limited on Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded to full on Friday.
WR Drake London, OLB Matthew Judon, CB Kevin King, OLs Chris Lindstrom, Jake Matthews, and Kaleb McGary, and DTs David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett all had a rest day during the week. WR Darnell Mooney had a rest day but is also dealing with an Achilles injury.
Minnesota Vikings Injuries
As I mentioned, the Vikings have a season-high five active players with an injury designation for the game. I’ll start with the good news, though ‒ with LS Andrew DePaola and K Will Reichard set to return. They were both activated from IR on Saturday. Officially, they were both questionable for the game.
For the active players, the only one ruled out is CB Stephon Gilmore. He suffered a hamstring injury during the Cardinals’ game and didn’t return. Kevin O’Connell said they avoided any major injuries but will be smart with him, especially at this point of the season.
OLBs Patrick Jones (knee) and Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh) were limited the entire week. Both players were on the injury report last week with the same injuries. OG Dalton Risner and DT Harrison Phillips suffered back injuries during the week and will be questionable as well.
TE Josh Oliver will be back after missing two games with an ankle injury. He appeared on the injury report but was a full participant. DT Jonathan Bullard (Toe) and LB Blake Cashman (knee) were limited on Wednesday before being upgraded to full participants. S Jay Ward (elbow) didn’t practice on Wednesday and was upgraded to limited the next day and to full the day after that. As per usual, S Harrison Smith had a rest day on Friday.
Matchups to Watch in Week 14: A Very Familiar Face Is Back