Vikings Injury Report Features 15 Players
The Minnesota Vikings have played 12 games this season and have won only a third of them. With a 4-8 record, the franchise can safely look ahead to the offseason and determine which changes should be made.
Vikings Injury Report Features 15 Players
Yet, there will be a game played on Sunday, as the Washington Commanders — another team with a lost season after an exciting 2024 campaign — come to town.
Injuries have played a role for both teams this year. For example, both lost their sophomore quarterback for several games, though it’s only fair to note that Jayden Daniels has certainly shown much more promise in his young career than McCarthy has.
Both passers could be available on Sunday, but that’s not a given. Daniels was limited on Wednesday following his gruesome elbow injury suffered last month.
McCarthy was one of a whopping 15 Vikings listed on Wednesday’s report. He logged a full practice and seems to be on track to return after a one-game absence with a concussion. To clear concussion protocol, he had to make it through a full practice without any symptoms, which might have happened on Wednesday.
Also with a full practice were tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and safety Theo Jackson (neck). Darrisaw missed the last game but is expected to return on Sunday. He continues to be in and out of the lineup with the severe knee injury suffered in the previous year. In all likelihood, that won’t change until he can fully recover in the offseason. Jackson missed Sunday’s debacle in Seattle with the neck injury sustained in Green Bay the week prior. Both of those guys should be expected to play.
Now, let’s check the list of players with limited practices on Wednesday.
That included defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, as well as safety Harrison Smith. As they are listed with “rest,” they’ll be available on Sunday.
More complicated will be the case of versatile backup lineman Blake Brandel, who picked up a concussion in Week 13. Most players have to sit out a week once they land in the protocol. Running back Ty Chandler landed on IR following the Week 1 game with a knee issue. About three months later, the Vikings opened his practice window. He could be activated at any point. It was his first time participating in practice since the injury.
Pass rusher Jonathan Greenard is still dealing with the shoulder that kept him out of the game in Green Bay and limited him in Seattle. Dallas Turner has done a decent job replacing him. Safety Josh Metellus was limited, too. It’s another shoulder injury. He battled through the injury in the last game. All three safeties were on the report.
Also limited with a shoulder was running back Aaron Jones. He’s considered day-to-day, but after injuring his AC joint in consecutive games, the Vikings might have to take a more cautious approach. Center Ryan Kelly suffered a hip injury on Sunday. Like Jones, the current issue is not a big deal, but his injuries have piled up throughout the season and in recent years, making it more concerning.
Finally, we have defensive lineman Jalen Redmond. The breakout star is also dealing with a hip injury. He was limited last week but played on Sunday. Players with limited practice time (concussions aside) on Wednesday generally have a good chance of suiting up four days later.
In addition to that long list, the Vikings had two guys sitting out the entire day: Guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) and defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez (neck).
The latter played on Sunday, while Jackson had to sit out. Kevin O’Connell mentioned on Wednesday that the rookie isn’t ready to practice, but he wouldn’t rule him out yet. Missing practice on Wednesday is not a death sentence for Sunday, but it’s not a good sign either. Their statuses have to be monitored throughout the week.
Given that Jackson and Brandel might miss the contest against the Commanders, the Vikings could be asked to get creative at left guard. Demoted third-string center Michael Jurgens, undrafted rookie guard Joe Huber, or tackles Walter Rouse and Justin Skule are the remaining options.
The injury report will clear up in the next couple of days, but one thing is sure: The Vikings are banged up.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.