Minnesota Vikings Week 7 Injuries

Unfortunately, injuries will always be part of football. Injuries to Minnesota Vikings lynchpins Justin Jefferson and Kirk Cousins last season put the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers in the playoffs. At every level, injuries sway football seasons. Watching the New Orleans Saints flail about as the Denver Broncos rolled them last night put a current bright light on how injuries can decimate a team. The Saints were missing their quarterback, both receivers, and three-fifths of their offensive line. How’s a team to compete when six of their most important seven offensive players are on the sideline? Injury-wise, the Vikings had a rough summer. Perhaps the roughest summer. Fortunately, the opening weeks of the season haven’t been too bad. The injuries have been more nuisance than problematic. Even coming off a Week 6 bye, the Vikings had their most injury concerns of the season. It’s bad timing as Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions is big. 

Five players did not practice (DNP) on Wednesday, their first real practice of the week.

Blake Cashman, LB

Akayleb Evans, CB

Patrick Jones II, OLB

Aaron Jones, RB

Harrison Phillips, DT

Two were limited.

T.J. Hockenson, TE

Dalton Risner, G

T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner are in the 21-day practice window following their respective returns from injured reserve lists. The real injury concerns are with the players that DNP. In particular, there were/are significant concerns with Blake Cashman and Aaron Jones. 

Thursday’s practice brought good and bad news. The DNPs dropped to two players.

Blake Cashman, LB

Akayleb Evans, CB

The return to practice of Aaron Jones, Patrick Jones II, and Harrison Phillips was very welcome news. Especially Aaron Jones. There were some very concerned Vikings folks when the team traded for Cam Akers this week. Is Jones going to be out for a while? No. The Vikings needed better running back depth. The trade for Akers was a move to strengthen the team and get ahead of a potential problem. Jones looks good to go for the Lions. Today’s practice should prove that. That’s huge news as he’s been a pacesetter for the offense. The Vikings need him. Sam Darnold needs him. Despite that importance, lightening his load can only help Jones play in every game that remains. It isn’t all good injury news. Cashman likely won’t be available for Sunday’s game against the Lions. That probably goes for the quick turnaround game on Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. Cashman has been excellent this season. He’ll be missed. Fortunately, the Vikings have a relentless stick of dynamite in Ivan Pace Jr. 

This week, the Vikings experienced their first significant injury concerns of the season. Other than Cashman, those concerns lessened with each day. There’s also help on the way. Hockenson and Risner are inching closer to the field. I’m hoping that Hockenson makes his season debut next Thursday against the Rams. I can’t wait to see this Vikings offense fully loaded with all of their playmakers. 

Get healthy Blake Cashman. And, no more injuries.