This is a big game for a Vikings team that has to shake the funk of losing five of the last six games. They need these players on the field and most of them will be. These ridiculous injury reports are in response to 345 Park Avenue's demand that gamblers and fantasy players be properly informed. Here's how the Vikings injury report really breaks down from my perch.
Center Joe Berger's availability for Thursday's might be the biggest question for the players with new injuries. Concussions are never predictable. He's been in the concussion protocol since Friday so it's wait and see.
Punt returner Marcus Sherels missed the Thanksgiving game against the Detroit Lions. If he can handle the pain of a rib injury, which is often considerable, he can play. Punt returners take some high velocity hits so I put the chances of his playing as better than iffy.
Safety Harrison Smith has been dealing with an ankle injury for nearly two weeks. He has to play. The Vikings are giving him time to rest the ankle just as they did last week before the Lions game.
Nickel corner Captain Munnerlyn is in the same injury boat as Smith. Ankle = rest.
Sharrif Floyd will miss his tenth consecutive game since his week two knee injury. Hopefully, he's close to returning. The Vikings could really use him in their line rotation. At least he'll be well-rested when he does return.
Linebacker Chad Greenway missed practice as he awaits the birth of his fourth child.
Quarterback Sam Bradford is a surprise addition to the injury report. My guess is that he'll be fine. He's on the report simply because the Vikings are mandated to list him because he was rested for a few, or more, snaps.
The rest of the limited participants should be fine. Receiver Stefon Diggs' return is a welcome one. As the Vikings most explosive and productive pass catcher he was sorely missed against the Lions. Corner Terence Newman missed the Lions game as well. Trae Waynes did a fine job in his place. Waynes might even be on the verge of moving past Newman as the starter. Middle linebacker Eric Kendricks has been hobbled with a few injuries for a couple of weeks. His hip injury is a concern for that reason alone. His limited participation yesterday is a pretty good indication that he should be ready to play on Thursday. The coaches might manage his snaps against the Cowboys just as they did against the Lions. Right tackle Jeremiah Sirles hurt his hip in the second half against the Lions. There were rumors that he lobbied to get back in the game. He should be good to go. The Vikings can't afford to lose any more offensive linemen. Rookie corner Mackensie Alexander should be fine as well but muscle issues can be troublesome.
Finally, Adam Thielen shouldn't even be on the report if he was a full participant in practice. What's the point of listing him? Maybe he massaged his shoulder for a moment after a sideline catch and league office got wind of it.
It can be startling to see 13 players on your team's injury report. That's a lot of players for a team that has been dealing with a steady stream of injuries since August. In this particular case the Vikings have 13 players on the report because the league demands that they do so.
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