Vikings could be without their defensive MVP for Week 11 vs. Cowboys

Za’Darius Smith is among the players to land on the final injury report for the Minnesota Vikings before their Week 11 meeting with the Dallas Cowboys.

There is no question that Za’Darius Smith has been a gigantic addition to the Minnesota Vikings this season. Nine games into his eighth season in the NFL, Smith is currently leading the league in pressures with 55, according to PFF.

This week, the Vikings will be taking on the 6-3 Dallas Cowboys inside U.S. Bank Stadium, and they’re going to need Smith‘s pass-rushing excellence to help get the win.

However, Minnesota’s top defender is currently dealing with a knee injury, and he was among the players that wound up on the team’s final injury report for Week 11.

Final Injury Report: Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys

Vikings Final Injury Report:

• Akayleb Evans (CB) – OUT with a concussion
• Dalvin Tomlinson (DE) – OUT with a calf injury
• Za’Darius Smith (OLB) – QUESTIONABLE with a knee injury

After suffering a concussion in Minnesota’s Week 10 win over the Buffalo Bills, Vikings rookie cornerback Akayleb Evans won’t be suiting up against Dallas. Minnesota has already announced that fellow rookie corner, Andrew Booth Jr., will be starting in place of Evans this weekend.

For the third week in a row, the Vikings will also be without Dalvin Tomlinson in the middle of their defensive line. Tomlinson didn’t participate in any of Minnesota’s three practices this week, so it’s still hard to determine when he might be ready to come back to the field.

Cowboys Final Injury Report:

• Bryan Anger (P) – QUESTIONABLE with an illness
• Anthony Barr (LB) – QUESTIONABLE with a hamstring injury
• Quinton Bohanna (DT) – QUESTIONABLE with an illness
• Anthony Brown (CB) – QUESTIONABLE with a concussion
• Ezekiel Elliott (RB) – QUESTIONABLE with a knee injury
• DeMarcus Lawrence (DE) – QUESTIONABLE with a foot injury

Barring any setbacks, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said on Friday that Anthony Barr, Ezekiel Elliott, and DeMarcus Lawrence are all expected to play on Sunday.

If Barr takes the field, it will be his first action inside U.S. Bank Stadium without a purple and gold Vikings jersey on.