The Minnesota Vikings are limping their way through Week 16-literally and figuratively. In a game that’s felt more like a war of attrition than a football contest, Minnesota is barely holding onto a 13-10 lead over New York, and the injury list just keeps growing.
The latest blow came in the third quarter when wide receiver Jordan Addison exited the game after an awkward fall. Addison came down on a defender’s foot and landed hard, immediately drawing the attention of the training staff.
He was helped off the field and did not return. Before the injury, Addison had logged two catches for 26 yards on three targets-a modest stat line, but his presence as a route-runner and deep threat was sorely missed once he left.
Addison’s exit was just one piece of a brutal injury puzzle for the Vikings on Sunday. The most significant loss?
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The second-year signal-caller took a vicious blindside hit from edge rusher Brian Burns, and the aftermath was ugly. McCarthy lost the football on the play, and New York’s Tyler Nubin scooped it up and took it to the house.
That defensive touchdown tied the game and knocked McCarthy out for good.
McCarthy’s day ended with a 9-of-14 passing line for 108 yards and an interception-not exactly the kind of outing Minnesota was hoping for in a pivotal late-season matchup. In his place, the Vikings turned to backup Max Brosmer, who was immediately thrust into a high-pressure situation with limited reps.
And the injury bug didn’t stop there. Running back Jordan Mason exited in the first half with an ankle injury and didn’t return.
Aaron Jones, the team’s lead back, also limped off with an ankle issue of his own but managed to return later in the game. Still, the backfield has been anything but stable.
Up front, the Vikings were already dealing with the loss of starting center Ryan Kelly, who was ruled out with a concussion. That’s a critical piece missing from an offensive line that’s had to shuffle on the fly all afternoon.
Yet, somehow, Minnesota is still in control-thanks almost entirely to its defense. The unit has been flying around the field, making life miserable for New York’s rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.
Dart has looked overwhelmed, completing just six of his ten attempts for 30 yards and tossing an interception deep into the second half. The Vikings’ pass rush has been relentless, and the secondary isn’t giving up anything easy.
With just over 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Minnesota is clinging to a three-point lead. It’s not pretty, and it’s certainly not how they drew it up, but in a game like this, survival might be the only thing that matters.