Who will be available for the Halloween game between the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football and who will be on the sidelines?
Health can be a major factor when it come to football games, and considering all the losses that the Minnesota Vikings have endured this season, it would be difficult for the team to make many more losses going forward.
This week, the Vikings will be taking on the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. The week 8 matchup will happen on Halloween, and could have fans wondering if their favorite team will be tricked or get a sweet treat in prime time.
Since the game is on Monday night, the two teams weren’t required to give their injury reports until Saturday. Because of that, the usual sharing of the statuses are a day late on The Viking Age.
However, now that they have been released, they are worth a definite look. Here are the reports for each team as shared on Vikings.com and FOX Sports websites:
Minnesota Vikings
OUT
- DT Sharrif Floyd, knee
- C/G Zac Kerin, hand
- RB Jerick McKinnon, ankle
- S Andrew Sendejo, ankle
DOUBTFUL
- -none-
PROBABLE
- WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson, concussion
- TE MyCole Pruitt, knee
- PR/CB Marcus Sherels, wrist
- WR Jarius Wright, ankle
It appears as though McKinnon’s ankle injury will sideline him for at least one week, which means the run game should get a heavy dose of Matt Asiata with a sprinkling of Ronnie Hillman to keep everyone fresh.
Seeing both of the Minnesota Vikings return specialists as probable is a bit concerning with how many big hits these guys can take during a game, but both are tough and should see the field on Monday night.
Chicago Bears
OUT
- CB Deiondre’ Hall, ankle
DOUBTFUL
- OT Adrian Bellard, knee
- NT Eddie Goldman, ankle
- OT Kyle Long, triceps
- WR Eddie Royal, toe
QUESTIONABLE
- CB Bryce Callahan, Hamstring
- RB Jeremy Langford, ankle
- LB Pernell McPhee, knee
- WR Cameron Meredith, shoulder
- CB Tracy Porter, knee
- G Josh Sitton, Ankle
- LB Danny Trevathan, illness
Eddie Goldman, Bryce Callahan, and Eddie Royal would all be big defensive losses if they can’t go. The same can be said for Bellard, Sitton and Long, as the Bears offensive line has already taken some big hits and don’t’ have a lot of depth.
Next: 5 keys to victory against the Bears
While the Bears only have one win on the season, they are a more dangerous team than people think. Their statistics are average by NFL standards, but they lack the ability to convert on big plays and execute in the red zone on offense. And if they can get things going with Cutler at the helm, Monday Night Football could be a great contest.