The good news for the Vikings is that star receiver Justin Jefferson will not have an injury designation heading into Sunday’s home game against the Houston Texans. The bad news is they will be without a trio of key players.
On the official injury report, the Vikings ruled receiver Jordan Addison, edge rusher Dallas Turner and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. out for Sunday’s game.
The absence of Addison (ankle) and Turner (knee) was almost expected given the fact that neither participated in practice at any point. The absence of Pace (quad/ankle) came as somewhat of a surprise after he was a limited participant earlier this week.
Asked specifically about Addison, who missed last Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that he made some good progress this week.
“Not all the way to the point where we could be 100 percent confident he wouldn’t have a setback of any kind,” O’Connell said. “Ultimately the most important thing is over the long term of this season getting him back to a place where he’s ready to rock and roll.”
There will be pressure on a number of different players to step up this weekend as a result.
It will likely be on speedy receiver Jalen Nailor to fill the void left by Addison while edge rusher Pat Jones II will likely see an increased role in place of Turner. As for Pace, veteran linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill seems like the logical replacement, though linebacker Brian Asamoah could also get some playing time.
Bryant to be honored
It will be a special moment for legendary cornerback Bobby Bryant when he is inducted into the Vikings’ Ring of Honor during halftime of Sunday’s game. About 100 former players are expected to be on hand to witness it.
It’s only right that Bryant is inducted into the Ring of Honor. He was a star on defense throughout the 1970s, finishing with 51 interceptions across 161 games in his career, which was spent exclusively with the Vikings.
Fittingly, Bryant will be the first cornerback to earn his place in the Ring of Honor, and his addition will bring the total to 28 members.
Akers will likely start
Never mind that Texans running back Cam Akers has already torn his Achilles twice in his career. Though that would have stopped most people on the planet, Akers has continued to push forward, refusing to let that major injury define his career.
The willpower paid off as Akers likely will get the opportunity to start Sunday with fellow running back Joe Mixon listed as doubtful.
After initially getting drafted by the Los Angeles Rams, Akers was traded to the Vikings last season, partially because O’Connell felt so strongly about him as a player. They have a relationship that dates back to their time together with the Rams, and O’Connell has remained a fan of Akers.
“I love Cam Akers,” O’Connell said. “He’s an incredible tough player both mentally and physically.”
Though he almost returned to the Vikings ahead of this season, Akers ultimately picked the Texans.
“He got a great opportunity with a great organization,” O’Connell said. “I’m really happy for him.”
Related Articles
Vikings vs. Texans: What to know ahead of Week 3 matchup
Brian Flores has his fingerprints all over this Vikings defense
Texans at Vikings picks: We vote 3-0 for Vikings’ 3-0 start
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 3
Revisiting the Stefon Diggs era and the trade that helped the Vikings land Justin Jefferson
Leave a Reply