Injury report: 4 starters ruled out for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8

Who is out and whose status is in doubt for the Sunday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints in Week 8 on Oct. 28?

Now that the Minnesota Vikings are riding a three-game winning streak and have a home game on Sunday Night Football, things are looking up for the purple and gold as they sit on top of the NFC North heading into Week 8.

However, their opponent for the upcoming game is the New Orleans Saints, a team with a high-powered offense thanks to a mix of veteran leadership and young talent and a strong defense which leads the league in fewest yards allowed on the ground.

For this contest, the Vikings will need all the help they can get to compete with the Saints and the injury report released on Friday gives a good look into who may not be available for the matchup. Here is the report as shared by the official Vikings website:

Minnesota Vikings

OUT

• Anthony Barr, linebacker – hamstring
• Tom Compton, offensive line – knee
• Dalvin Cook, running back – hamstring
• Andrew Sendejo, safety – groin

DOUBTFUL

• Riley Reiff, offensive line – foot

QUESTIONABLE

• Linval Joseph, defensive tackle – ankle/knee
• Xavier Rhodes, cornerback – foot

Four starters already ruled out and three others listed as doubtful or questionable isn’t a very good sign. Eric Wilson will likely get the start for Barr while Danny Isidora, George Iloka, and Latavius Murray round out the rest of the substitutions.

It would be nice to get Reiff back to secure the blind side for Kirk Cousins while the good news of Joseph and Rhodes being likely to go on Sunday should be a bit reassuring.

New Orleans Saints

OUT

• Mitchell Loewen, defensive line – neck

DOUBTFUL

• – none –

QUESTIONABLE

• – none –

Compared to the injury report for the Vikings, the Saints look like they have it pretty easy. With so many weapons available and only Loewen ruled out or even listed on the report as being in any kind of doubt at all, Minnesota should have their hands full on Sunday.

Which names on the injury report surprised you the most and who do you think would be the biggest loss for the Minnesota Vikings or New Orleans Saints if they can’t play on Sunday, Oct. 28? Let us know in the comments!