Vikings Injuries

Injuries will always be a part of football. While not hit as hard as some other teams, the Minnesota have navigated several injuries on their way to a perfect 5-0 start. The interesting thing about the Vikings injuries is that they have been almost exclusively on the offensive side of the ball. The following players have missed at least one of the five games.

Kyler Murray, QB

Jordan Mason, RB

Justin Jefferson, WR

Jordan Addison, WR

T.J. Hockenson, TE

Josh Oliver, TE

Christian Darrisaw, OT

Donovan Jackson, G

The Athletic’s Alec Lewis noted that Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason, and T.J. Hockenson were on the field together for only nine snaps. With those Vikings playmakers available for so few snaps, is there really any surprise that the offense struggled to find any rhythm early in the season. Toss in starting quarterback Kyler Murray essentially missing the first two games with a concussion and it’s a thrown-together offense on the field to start the season. Murray returned in Week 3 but it took about a bit more than a game for him to find some comfort while surrounded with jumbled personnel. Over the final game-and-a-half before the bye, the Vikings offense finally looked lively. It’s always nice to have Jefferson on the field but they we’re still missing Addison, Mason, Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Christian Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson. Week 6 is early for a bye. This year, it may have come at a good time. It gives a few of the above injured offensive players extra time to get healthy. Fortunately, Mason, Addison, Hockenson, and Darrisaw should all be healthy as the Vikings return to the field in Week 7. Unfortunately, Oliver and Jackson are out for the regular season. They will be missed. 

The Vikings are 5-0 because of the stellar performance of the defense and special teams. A reason for that stellar performance, especially on defense, has been the consistent availability of players. Defensively, through five games, only rookie corner Chuck Demmings has missed games. A Week 3 hamstring injury kept him out of the Week 4 and Week 5 games. As a rookie, he contributed on special teams and had scattered defensive snaps. The closest the Vikings came to not having a defensive regular was Week 3. Ivan Pace Jr. missed the team’s flight to Tampa due to the birth of his son. While his game availability was initially questioned, he was present for his son’s birth, caught a flight, and made it to the game on time. Then he got a sack and a finger on a punt. 

Hopefully, the Vikings offense gets, and stays, healthy and the defense continues their strong and healthy play.