Injury report: Key players may return for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9

Who is ruled out for Week 9 between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions and who has a chance of suiting up on Sunday? Here is the injury report!

This season has been a tough one for injuries for the Minnesota Vikings. Several starters have missed some big games where their impact could have been felt and perhaps changed the way the game resulted.

Against the Detroit Lions in Week 9, the injury bug continues to bite Minnesota as more starters are set to sit out the big divisional matchup while others are looking to make their return to the team before the Week 10 bye.

Let’s take a look at the full injury report for this game as shared on the official website of the Vikings.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Out

• Anthony Barr, linebacker – hamstring
• Tom Compton, offensive line – knee
• Roc Thomas, running back – hamstring

Doubtful

• – none –

Questionable 

• Dalvin Cook, running back – hamstring
• Stefon Diggs, wide receiver – rib
• Riley Reiff, offensive line – foot
• Xavier Rhodes, cornerback – foot
• Andrew Sendejo, safety – groin

Of course, any time a team is going to be down a starting linebacker and offensive lineman, it will be an issue. Both these players are great contributors at their positions and Minnesota will need to find a way to get key backups to play at a high level if they want to get a win.

Conversely, the possibility of getting Cook, Reiff, Sendejo, and Rhodes back should be very appealing to Vikings fans. Each of them has a tough job to perform each week, whether it is keeping Kirk Cousins (NOT Sam Bradford as originally written, I’m living in the past) clean, Picking up yards on the ground, or stopping opposing teams.

Diggs seems like he should be ready to go despite being a bit banged up.

DETROIT LIONS

Out

• – none –

Doubtful

• Jalen Reeves-Maybin, linebacker – neck/toe

Questionable 

• Ezekiel Ansah, defensive end – shoulder
• T.J. Lang, offensive line – hip
• Darius Slay, cornerback – knee

The Lions look mostly healthy, with their young pass rusher Ansah and “Big Play” Slay ready to attack the Vikings offense. Both would be a huge loss to the Lions if they were unable to suit up on Sunday.

Backup linebacker Reeves-Maybin wouldn’t hurt too bad if he is unable to go. However, Detroit’s interior line will be tested as they go up against the dynamic duo of Joseph and Richardson during this game.

What do you think of this week’s injury report? Whose absence do you think would hurt the team the most and who will make it back on the field for Week 9 in the game between the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions? Let us know in the comments section below.