The Bills and Vikings have both turned in their inactive lists with kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium drawing close, and Buffalo’s biggest absence jumps off the page immediately.
Dion Dawkins is out for the Bills, a major blow at left tackle. Alec Anderson, Skyler Bell, Mike Danna, Greg Gaines and Jalon Kilgore are also inactive for Buffalo. Dawkins, Gaines and Anderson had all been listed as questionable on the final injury report, but none of them will be available tonight.
Buffalo also made a couple of practice-squad moves for Monday night, elevating safety Geno Stone and wide receiver Trent Sherfield, the former Viking.
Minnesota’s list brings a few surprises of its own. Caleb Banks is inactive despite not appearing on the injury report all week, making his status as a healthy scratch a notable one. Chuck Demmings, Theo Jackson, Jauan Jennings, Kyler Murray and Jakobe Thomas are also out.
Murray and Jennings were listed as out on the final injury report, while Jackson had been questionable before landing on the inactive list as well. The Vikings are not carrying an emergency quarterback for the Murray injury, which leaves them potentially one snap away from the Max Brosmer Experience™ this evening in Minneapolis. Hoo boy.
Minnesota also made several roster moves this afternoon. The team placed running back Demond Claiborne on injured reserve with a knee injury, signed wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the active roster from the practice squad, and elevated safety Tavierre Thomas from the practice squad for tonight’s game. It’s Thomas’ second elevation of the season.
In Other News...
Vikings Ugly Loss Just Put The Offense Under A Harsh Spotlight
The Vikings had been cruising through the first month of the season, but Sundays loss to Buffalo was a jarring reminder that the offense can still go sideways in a hurry. Carson Wentz never found a rhythm, finishing 8 of 25 for 81 yards with two interceptions before being replaced, and the entire unit looked out of sync in a game that dropped Minnesota to 6-2.
For a team that built its early momentum on winning in a variety of ways, the bigger concern now is whether this was just one bad afternoon or a sign of a deeper problem. The offensive approach came under real scrutiny, and if the struggles keep piling up, the pressure wont stop at the quarterback spot. It could eventually reach the coaching staff, too. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Pressure Is Mounting As OConnell Cant Ignore QB Problem
The Vikings are carrying more questions than answers after the loss to Buffalo, and Kevin OConnell did not sound like a coach eager to pretend otherwise. He acknowledged the teams poor performance and the strain that comes with trying to steer the offense through it, a candid tone that fit the mood around a group now facing real scrutiny as the trade deadline approaches.
What makes the situation more pointed is the quarterback conversation hanging over everything. OConnells comments left room for the idea that Minnesota could explore changes, even if the specifics remain unsettled, and the pressure is only growing as the team weighs whether standing pat is good enough. For a roster built to contend, the next move at the games most important position may end up defining how the rest of the season is judged. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Trade Deadline Pressure Just Spiked After Carson Wentz Struggled
The Vikings lopsided loss to Buffalo on Monday night did more than drop them to a frustrating Week 9 defeat. It also sharpened the conversation around the NFL trade deadline, with Minnesota coming out of a 23-6 home loss looking like a team that may need help in a hurry. Carson Wentz struggled throughout the night, and the offense never found much rhythm against the Bills.
Kevin OConnell was asked afterward about the deadline, but he pushed those decisions toward general manager Nolan Teasley as the clock keeps ticking. With the offense sputtering and the Vikings unable to keep pace, the front office now has to weigh whether this roster needs a move before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]