Vikings defenders dropping like flies as each day passes by

The Minnesota Vikings added two more notable defenders to their injury report on Thursday, defensive end Everson Griffen and linebacker Eric Kendricks.

Heading into their Week 2 matchup with a talented Arizona Cardinals team, it already seemed like the Minnesota Vikings were likely going to take the field without linebacker Anthony Barr for the second straight week as he deals with a knee injury.

But on Thursday, the Vikings added two more notable players from their defense to their injury report and the stress level is starting to really pick up in the Twin Cities.

Appearing on Minnesota’s latest injury report is defensive end Everson Griffen and linebacker Eric Kendricks (in addition to Barr). Both practiced on Wednesday, but Griffen was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice due to a concussion, and Kendricks sat out with a quad injury.

Minnesota Vikings could be without some major defenders in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals

Sunday in the desert was already going to be a tough matchup for the Vikings. But if Minnesota doesn’t have Kendricks, Barr, and Griffen in uniform, getting a win over the Cardinals will be even more difficult.

Of the three, Kendricks not playing would probably impact the Vikings the most. He’s been such an important part of Minnesota’s defense ever since he arrived in 2015 and things could head south quickly without him on the field.

Kendricks was likely going to be a huge part of the Vikings’ plan to stop Arizona quarterback Kyler Murray this weekend. Without Minnesota having their All-Pro linebacker out on the field against the Cardinals, Murray could end up doing his best Michael Vick vs. the Vikings in 2003 impression.

How is it that Minnesota has only played one game this year and the whole season already feels like it’s unraveling? If the Vikings lose on Sunday and start the 2021 campaign with an 0-2 record, the next 16 weeks probably aren’t going to be very fun.