The Vikings head to New Orleans on Sunday with plenty of momentum and a few injury questions still hanging over them.
Minnesota is 4-0 and riding a nine-game winning streak that dates back to Week 13 of last season, but the final injury report for Week 5 brought a mixed bag before the noon CT kickoff against the Saints. Two players are already out, five more are listed as questionable, and no one carries a doubtful tag.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is one of the two players ruled out. He didn’t practice Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, leaving him unable to get through the NFL’s five-phase concussion protocol in time for the game. Cornerback Chuck Demmings is also out after missing Wednesday, then getting in two limited practices later in the week.
The biggest names on the questionable list are Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Jefferson, dealing with an ankle injury, was limited in all three practices and still sounded optimistic about his status, telling reporters on Wednesday that “the plan is for me to play” Sunday. Addison is questionable with a hamstring injury after sitting out Wednesday and then working on a limited basis Thursday and Friday.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill is also questionable because of a knee injury, and he was limited throughout the week.
Center Michael Jurgens and tight end Ben Yurosek are both questionable as well, though their situations look different from the rest. Both were full participants all week after being designated to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, which opened their 21-day practice windows.
Punter Brett Thorson appears set to make his return. He was a full participant all week with a hamstring injury and doesn’t have a game status. He’s missed the past two games, but vikings.com says he is expected back Sunday.
Safety Harrison Smith and running back Aaron Jones Sr. were also listed with rest days. Smith was limited Friday, while Jones was limited Wednesday, and neither received a game designation.
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Vikings Face A Tough Game Day Question With Key Absences
Minnesotas pregame picture got a lot clearer on the inactive list, and a lot more challenging, too. The Vikings will go into their matchup with New Orleans missing Jordan Addison, Odell Beckham Jr., Christian Darrisaw, Chuck Demmings, Jakobe Thomas and Elijah Williams, while Justin Jefferson and Brian ONeill are available, giving the offense at least one of its top playmakers and a key piece up front.
Christian Darrisaws absence leaves a notable hole on the left side, and the Saints also arrived with their own share of questions after listing Vernon Broughton, Kaden Elliss, Anfernee Jennings, Mike Reid, Nathan Shepherd and Jeremiah Wright inactive. New Orleans still has Barion Brown, Julian Blackmon and Alvin Kamara available despite being questionable, so the final shape of the game will come down to which side handles its absences better once the ball is kicked off. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Stayed Unbeaten Through A Messy Win That Said Plenty
The Vikings went into their meeting with the Saints trying to protect an unbeaten start before the bye week, and they had to do it while already shorthanded on offense. Minnesota kept finding ways to stay afloat anyway, leaning on Kyler Murrays mobility and accurate passing as the game turned messy around them, but the win came with the kind of wear and tear that can linger far beyond one Sunday.
Minnesota also had to absorb more blows in-game, with T.J. Hockenson leaving on the second snap and the offense already operating without Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Addison and Donovan Jackson. Even so, the Vikings pushed through turnovers and a handful of self-inflicted mistakes to get to 5-0, though the red-zone fumbles that gave the Saints extra points left plenty for the Vikings to sort out when they return from the break. [Read more 🡒]
Justin Jefferson's Status Puts Vikings Week 5 Offense In Spotlight
The Vikings head into Week 5 with their passing game suddenly in focus, as both Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are listed as questionable for the matchup with the Saints. Jefferson is working through an ankle injury after missing the previous game, while Addison is dealing with a hamstring issue, leaving Minnesota with real uncertainty at two of its most important receiver spots.
Jefferson has said he plans to play, but the final call still matters because the Vikings have already had to prepare for a plan B. Minnesota elevated Odell Beckham Jr. and Jeshaun Jones from the practice squad, a clear sign the team is bracing for the possibility of being short-handed when it tries to keep the offense on schedule in New Orleans. [Read more 🡒]