Minnesota Vikings vs Bills injury report: Two starters to miss Week 3

Some big names for the Minnesota Vikings are showing up on the Injury Report for their Week 3 game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018.

The Minnesota Vikings are fresh off a tie against their division rivals and looking to get back to winning football games as they face off against the Buffalo Bills in a Week 3 matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 23, 2018.

Sadly, the Vikings won’t be at full strength for this game even though they will be getting an injured player back for the contest. Also, the Bills have some players struggling to stay healthy and may be in danger of missing the game on Sunday.

Here is a look at the injury report for the Week 3 game as shared on the official website of the Vikings!

Minnesota Vikings

Out

• Dalvin Cook, RB – hamstring
• Everson Griffen, DE – knee
• David Morgan, TE – knee
• Marcus Sherels, CB – ribs

Doubtful

• – none –

Questionable

• Mike Boone, RB – groin

Being without Cook and Griffen is going to hurt a bit, but it will also give the Vikings an opportunity to showcase their defensive line depth with Stephen Weatherly and Tashawn Bower. In addition, Latavius Murray should be more than capable to carry the load at running back with help from Boone and Roc Thomas.

Sherels being out means that Minnesota will have a new punt returner for this game, which could be Holton Hill or Mike Hughes. Also, the Vikings could miss the solid blocking and sneaky hands of Morgan at tight end, but that should mean more playing time for rookie Tyler Conklin.

The good news is that center Pat Elflein is good to go for Week 3 after recovering from ankle and shoulder injuries, getting him a little bit of experience back in the starting lineup before huge games against the Rams and Eagles in upcoming weeks.

Buffalo Bills

Out

• Shaq Lawson, LB – hamstring

Doubtful

• – none –

Questionable

• Phillip Gaines, CB – elbow
• Taron Johnson CB – shoulder
• Ray-Ray McCloud, WR – knee
• LeSean McCoy, RB – rib
• Taiwan Jones, RB – head

Lawson is one of the Bills most talented players, so they will miss him on defense. However, it appears as though Buffalo will have the rest of their team available.

McCoy has struggled to get going this year, but with a healthy offensive line in front of him and getting closer to being healthy, the Vikings will need to be on their toes in Week 3.

How much will not having Everson Griffen and Dalvin Cook available hurt the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 against the Buffalo Bills? And will having Pat Elflein available make the team’s offensive line better? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.