At Long Last, Vikings Offer Some Positive Injury News
At this point, the Vikings offering positive injury news following a game arrives as particularly encouraging
After the Week 7 loss to the Eagles, Kevin O’Connell took some time to chat with the Minnesota media. Get distracted for a few moments and the injury update may go unnoticed. Consider the (very) brief update to arrive from Minnesota’s head coach: “Injury updates. Just Za Scott and C.J. Ham. Za Scott had a right wrist and C.J. had a left hand. Those guys will be evaluated.”
Vikings Offer Strong Injury Update After W7 Loss
To begin, a brief word to understand where Minnesota finds itself.
Coming off the Eagles in Week 7, the Vikings need to quickly reset. Upcoming is a Thursday Night Football game versus Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers. Even worse is that the game is going to take place on the road. So, the Vikings need to consider who is hurt, what’s needed to get healthy, and then quickly pivot toward a long flight down to California.
The Vikings, quite possibly, could see the run game diminished by injury in that one.
Already slowed by injury, the Vikings’ rushing attack may need to lean on Jordan Mason a touch more (something that may be a positive). Losing Scott, if that were to occur, means not having a promising runner who has good size and silky mitts. Ham, meanwhile, is rugged and versatile, capable of clearing running lanes, catching a pass, and blocking for his passer. The fullback is part of the winning formula in Minnesota.
Note: Aaron Jones is eligible to come back, so the rushing attack could get a boost with the veteran’s return.
But while seeing Scott and Ham hurt isn’t encouraging, just having a pair of ailments following a hard-fought game qualifies as positive news for these Vikings.
There may even be some optimism within the injuries. Seeing a player work through a bad wrist or hand is far better than seeing a player work through a bad neck or head. Ideally, Scott, Ham, and the Vikings more broadly would have no injuries, but that’s seldom the case in NFL football.
Lately, the injuries have been much more serious. One thinks of losing Blake Cashman and Ty Chandler after Week 1 to the IR. In Week 2, the Vikings had Jones shuffle to the IR. Ryan Kelly has suffered a pair of concussions across the opening five weeks, Andrew Van Ginkel has been in and out, Jeff Okudah needed time off, Brian O’Neill got subtracted, and Donovan Jackson Jackson had wrist surgery (among other injuries).
So, just a pair of Vikings being hurt — potentially in a minor manner — is indeed a positive development.
Otherwise, Kevin O’Connell’s update would eventually give way to chatting about Carson Wentz, someone with a painful shoulder ailment.
Toward the end of the presser, O’Connell was asked about who starts in Week 8. Consider what Kevin O’Connell had to say: “Gotta see how [Wentz] comes out health wise, […] he had to use his legs there a couple times on the last drive. We’ll see how he turns over.” Right afterwards, O’Connell talks about Max Brosmer being available alongside J.J. McCarthy’s health progression.
“On a short week,” O’Connell goes on to say, “we’re going to put together the best plan we can.”
At 3-3, the Vikings are sitting in last place within the NFC North. But while there’s little reason to panic, there’s ample reason to have a strong sense of urgency, a reality that Kevin O’Connell is sure to preach to his team throughout the upcoming week.
Keep an eye on Ham and Scott with the TNF game soon to arrive. Oh, and in case you needed any more prompting, the Vikings’ quarterback spot may get some attention in the coming days, as well.
