The Minnesota Vikings will be without at least one key player on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball against the Bears in Week 17.
Week 17 feels odd for the Minnesota Vikings. The team has clinched a playoff spot, but are locked into the sixth seed in the NFC. Plus, the Green Bay Packers took the division last week. This means the final result of this game will have no impact on their future other than for confidence, momentum, or draft pick ramifications.
Don’t be surprised to see players sit more often than not. Players who are banged up and likely could go are more likely to be inactive, but the Vikings can’t feel good going into the playoffs after the offense’s dismal performance in Week 16 against Green Bay and should want to enter the postseason on a high note.
The injury report for Week 17 lists one starter from both offense and defense out and places several others as having a chance of being sidelined. Let’s take a look at the report as shared on the team’s official website:
Minnesota Vikings
RULED OUT
- Dalvin Cook, running back – chest
- Eric Kendricks, linebacker – quadriceps
DOUBTFUL
- – none –
QUESTIONABLE
- Mackensie Alexander, cornerback – knee
- Jayron Kearse, defensive back – foot
- Alexander Mattison, running back – ankle
The Vikings will be without Cook again this week, but hopes are that the offense can bounce back against the Bears and prove that they can succeed without their star running back. Meanwhile, Kendricks left the game last week and did not return. This week, the linebacker sat out of all practices, which isn’t a good sign for future availability.
Mattison ended up being inactive last week, but the team could have really used this hard-nosed approach to running the football. While it would be nice to have him in the lineup on Sunday, having him healthy for the postseason should be the top priority.
In the defensive secondary, Kearse and Alexander have been rotational and situational players who have flashed this season. Considering some of the struggles by the defense in recent weeks, having these two available would be huge.
Chicago Bears
RULED OUT
- Taylor Gabriel, wide receiver – concussion
- Eddie Goldman, nose tackle – concussion
- Akiem Hicks, defensive tackle – elbow
DOUBTFUL
- Rashaad Coward, offensive line – knee
- Bobby Massie, offensive line – ankle
QUESTIONABLE
- Prince Amukamara, defensive back, hamstring
With both Goldman and Hicks sidelined, Minnesota’s running backs should be licking their chops. However, the left side of the Vikings offensive line has been struggling this season and still may find it challenging to open holes to run through.
Expect Alex Bars to fill in for Massie at right tackle, where the purple and gold should have an advantage. If Danielle Hunter plays, he should be able to disrupt Mitchell Trubisky early and often in this contest.
Expect several key players for the Minnesota Vikings to sit against the Chicago Bears as reported on Twitter by Courtney Cronin, but that doesn’t mean this is a game the purple and gold won’t be fighting for.