Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Linval Joseph: Will they play?
By Dan Zinski
Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Linval Joseph all were limited participants in practice Thursday and their status remains up in the air for Sunday.
All Viking fans want for Christmas is a healthy defense. And yes, a win against the Giants to clinch a playoff spot.
Getting the first would go a long way toward helping secure the second.
Earlier in the week, Mike Zimmer said there’s a “good possibility” all three of the team’s injured defensive stars will play this Sunday.
Of course Mike Zimmer has been known to fib a little bit when it comes to injury status.
All indications are that Anthony Barr, Harrison Smith and Linval Joseph are heading toward playing. All three players practiced Thursday on a limited basis.
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The Vikings managed to beat the Bears with all three on the shelf, and put together a surprisingly solid defensive effort against the Cardinals the week before that.
Given the possibility that the Vikings could already have a playoff spot locked up before taking the field Sunday night, Zimmer was asked about the possibility of sitting starters against New York.
Zimmer indicated that he is wary of taking anything for granted and said he won’t make “wholesale” changes to the lineup no matter how things shake out before the Giants game.
So, will Viking fans get their Christmas wish of a healthy defense? Keep asking Santa and maybe he’ll come through.