For the past three-plus seasons, the two players that the Vikings absolutely could not lose have been quarterback Kirk Cousins and receiver Justin Jefferson. It was a wonderful thing that both were remarkably durable. Every game, they were there. Welcome to this season. Justin Jefferson has missed the past five games with a hamstring injury. Kirk Cousins was lost for the season when torn his Achilles tendon in Week 8. Next Man Up.
The Vikings injured reserve currently includes eight players.
Kirk Cousins, QB
Jordan Hicks, LB
Marcus Davenport, OLB
Cam Akers, RB
Malik Knowles, WR
William Kwenkeu, LB
James Lynch, DL
Nick Mullens, QB
Oli Udoh, OT
Jefferson and offensive lineman Chris Reed are currently working their way back to the active roster. After starting the season on injured reserve, receiver Jalen Nailor has recently returned to the active roster.
Other players have missed games without having to be placed on injured reserve. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw has missed two games. Receiver K.J. Osborn has missed the past 1.5 games. Next Man Up has become the Vikings norm this season.
The Vikings defeated the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. After starting the season 0-3 and stumbling to 1-4, the Vikings have won their past five games. Somehow, they’ve won those five games without Justin Jefferson. They’ve won the past two without Kirk Cousins.
Against the Saints, the Vikings were without:
QB1 - Kirk Cousins
QB2 - Nick Mullens
QB3 - Jaren Hall
RB2 - Cam Akers
WR1 - Justin Jefferson
WR2 - K.J. Osborn
OLB2 - Marcus Davenport
DL3 - Dean Lowry
Before the game against the Saints was done, the Vikings lost RB1, LB1, and CB2. Alexander Mattison left with a concussion. Jordan Hicks and Akayleb Evans left with left with leg injuries. After the game, the swelling from Hicks’ shin contusion became concerning. He was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery to relieve the swelling. He was added to the injured reserve list yesterday. He’s out for at least the next four games. Next Man Up.
After the loss of Cousins, the Vikings were so stressed at quarterback that they made a trade deadline deal to add Josh Dobbs. It was a necessity at the time simply to have a quarterback on the roster that could stand. The Vikings standing quarterbacks for the Saints, Dobbs and Sean Mannion, weren’t even on the roster at the start of the season. After starting the first eight games for the Arizona Cardinals, Dobbs is the Vikings quarterback moving forward.
In his two years as the Vikings general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s moves have been questioned by the average fan and many in the media. With their resourceful play in ridiculously adverse situations this season, the Vikings have revealed themselves as a deep team of quality and character. You need a deep team to carry on when many of the best players can’t. You also need a deep belief in the “team.” The Vikings haven’t just gotten by without some of their most important players. They’re playing their best football of the season. Perhaps that’s not saying much as they started so poorly. They could only get better.
In recent weeks, the Vikings have shown that it’s as much the system as the players that play in it. That’s especially true on a rapidly improving defense. All of the players that have had to step up have shown that they keep the team rolling. It’s been fun to see. It’ll be even more fun to see Jefferson back on the field.
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