The first injury report for Vikings-Bears brought a little bit of everything: one starter headed to injured reserve, a handful of limited participants, and a few situations that should get clearer as the week moves on.
Minnesota’s biggest development was Jordan Mason landing on short-term IR with a broken thumb, which will keep the running back out for four games. That’s a real blow for the Vikings, and it also opened the door for Deejay Dallas to be promoted to the active roster in a corresponding move. Dallas looks to be ahead of Demond Claiborne on the depth chart for now.
The Vikings also listed Kyler Murray as limited after he suffered a concussion early in the Packers game. Coaches have said he hasn’t dealt with any lingering symptoms, so there is still a chance he could be available against the Bears on Sunday. He still has to clear the protocol, but the outlook sounds better than it did earlier in the week.
Minnesota’s other starters on the report were Blake Cashman, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Brian O’Neill, all limited. Jauan Jennings was listed as did not participate, though the report did not suggest the issue is expected to keep him out Sunday.
Chicago’s report was longer, and it started with starting right tackle Darnell Wright, who did not practice because of a knee injury. The timing makes it stand out - Wright played every snap against the Panthers, so this appears to be a new issue.
No severity details were provided, but if he can’t go Sunday, that would be a major loss for the Bears. He’s arguably their best offensive lineman.
Ozzy Trapilo, who is working back from a torn patellar tendon, was also limited. He’s likely to start at left tackle when he’s ready, but it’s still unclear whether that return comes this week.
The Bears had both running backs limited as well: Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift, with Swift dealing with an ankle/knee issue. Hamstring injuries can be especially tricky, so those situations bear watching, even if neither player seems headed for an absence right now.
Chicago’s other listed players were Neville Gallimore, Grady Jarrett, Malik Mohammad, Dayo Odeyingbo, and Xavier Woods. Coby Bryant was the lone Bears starter marked out.
There’s still more practice time left before Sunday’s matchup at Soldier Field, and Thursday and Friday should tell the story on which of these names are real concerns and which are just routine midweek limitations.
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Vikings Just Exposed A Secondary Concern Ahead Of The Bears
Minnesotas win over Green Bay came with a clear defensive identity, as Brian Flores leaned hard into pressure and kept the Packers uncomfortable all afternoon. The Vikings blitzed on 82.1% of plays, a volume that fits the ultra-aggressive style they have built around, but it also put extra attention on the back end and made the safety group a focal point for what worked and what did not.
Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson were part of a secondary that showed some coverage issues even in a victory, and that matters with Chicago coming next. Caleb Williams has handled the blitz well, which puts the Vikings in a tricky spot again, because the same approach that fuels their defense can also test the safety room in ways that leave little margin for error. [Read more 🡒]