Injuries Are Piling Up for the Minnesota Vikings
As fun as the first game of the season was (at least in the fourth quarter), the second one was quite frustrating because the Vikings kept shooting themselves in the foot. The execution on offense looked like a fourth quarter of a preseason game with players unlikely to make the team. Those guys can be prone to making mistakes; the starters shouldn’t.
Injuries Are Piling Up for the Minnesota Vikings
It didn’t help, though, that various Vikings had to leave the game with injuries. At least Jonathan Greenard, the star defender, was back on the field after missing only one play. He “battled and played his heart out, fighting through that,” Kevin O’Connell said after the game.
Others didn’t return and O’Connell gave an update.
Ryan Kelly
Center Kelly is one of the most important pieces in the offensive puzzle. The seasoned veteran brings the experience J.J. McCarthy lacks, helps set protections, and is certainly a good blocker, too.
However, when he signed, everyone pointed to his long injury history, filled with back and neck issues, as well as frequent concussions. He left Sunday’s disaster game with a concussion, which is always concerning, but especially when it’s not the first one.
His backup, Michael Jurgens, entered the game for the first time in his career, and he could very well be the man in front of McCarthy next week against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Justin Skule
Backup swing tackle Skule was also evaluated for a concussion and didn’t return for the remainder of the game. Suddenly, the Vikings were down to the third left tackle, Walter Rouse. Some wanted Rouse in the game anyway, but the protection issues didn’t improve with the inexperienced sophomore.
The club revamped its offensive line in the offseason, but the group struggled throughout the game. Getting Christian Darrisaw back would help. Like Kelly’s, Skule’s status for next week’s contest is unclear.
Gabriel Murphy
Because Andrew Van Ginkel was sidelined with a concussion in his own right, the Vikings elevated practice squad defender Murphy, who was fantastic in the preseason. In his season debut, he suffered a knee injury and had to leave the game. Kevin O’Connell said he would get an MRI on his knee to check for an MCL injury.
The depth will be tested if Van Ginkel’s absence continues into Week 3 and Murphy can’t go either. Teams set up the roster to deal with injuries, but if the backups join the starters on the injury list, it’s starting to become a serious problem.
Aaron Jones
Running back Jones left with a hamstring injury. Those can be fine within a few days, but they can also sideline a player for weeks or months. Just last week, the Vikings placed linebacker Blake Cashman on IR with a hamstring issue, ruling him out for four games.
If Jones’ injury is on the more severe side, Jordan Mason would once again be asked to carry the load, just like he was last year with the 49ers.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.