Vikings Injury Report Flags 2 Starters
The Minnesota Vikings released the Thursday injury report and it’s a loaded one. The good news is that only two players missed practice entirely ahead of Sunday’s clash with the New York Giants: Christian Darrisaw and Javon Hargrave.
2 Injured Vikings Starters Miss Practice Thursday
Both linemen missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday, putting their status for Sunday in jeopardy.
Javon Hargrave
Hargrave was perceived as a big-time free agency splash. The Vikings wanted to hire some more oomph in the trenches and signed Hargrave and Jonathan Allen in free agency. They bring more to the table in the pass-rushing phase, but they have struggled to replace Harrison Phillips and Jonathan Bullard on the ground.
Hargrave is listed on Thursday’s injury report with a thigh injury that has caused him to miss both practice sessions this week.
Throughout the season, Hargrave has played in all 14 games (13 starts), recording 45 tackles and 3.5 sacks along the way. He’s 32 years old and signed a two-year, $30 million deal back in March.
If he can’t go on Sunday, expect the Vikings to lean heavily into the duo of Jalen Redmond and Jonathan Allen. Last year’s seventh-rounder Levi Drake Rodriguez and this year’s fifth-rounder Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins would be asked to play more snaps.
Christian Darrisaw
Darrisaw returned to practice in the summer, but he hasn’t been healthy all year. His knee is still bothering him and has already forced him to miss four complete games and significant time in several others.
The standout left tackle signed a long-term deal in the 2024 offseason and is planned to be a franchise cornerstone for years to come. In those situations, the Vikings usually take the cautious approach. Considering his ongoing knee issues, calling it a season is a realistic option as the team enters the final stretch of games this year without any playoff hopes remaining.
Darrisaw’s potential absence would lead to more run for backups Blake Brandel or Justin Skule. The latter has replaced Darrisaw all year and is the front-runner, but Brandel has gotten some reps at left tackle this week.
Other Limited Players
Only those two were listed as non-participants on Thursday’s report, but various others were limited.
Center Ryan Kelly missed practice on Wednesday and returned in limited fashion on Thursday. His presence is crucial in the middle of the line, especially with Dexter Lawrence waiting on the other side. This would be another place that Brandel could sneak into the lineup at.
Linebacker Austin Keys was limited both days. He’s a decent special-teams player, but wouldn’t have an impact on the defensive unit. It’s an ankle injury for him.
Offensive tackle Brian O’Neill missed Wednesday with a heel injury and logged a limited session on Thursday. The Vikings cannot afford to be without both offensive tackles.
A back injury is the reason for two limited practices for Jalen Nailor. The wideout has been J.J. McCarthy’s favorite target, and sitting out would cost the fourth-year wideout momentum heading into the final weeks of his contract.
Potential Reinforcements
Tight end Gavin Bartholomew is on the Reserve/PUP list, but the Vikings opened his practice window this week. After a limited practice on Wednesday, he was a full participant on Thursday. He has yet to play for the Vikings after being selected on day three of April’s draft. His back injury has kept him out since July.
Running back Ty Chandler has been on IR since early in the season with a knee injury. He’s buried on the running back depth chart, but could play a role as a returner. He was full-go both days.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.