Based on the first Minnesota Vikings injury report for the team's Week 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks, Stephon Gilmore seems to have a very good chance of playing for the first time since Week 13.
Minnesota released their first injury report for Week 16 on Wednesday, and while the practice participation designations were just estimates because the team only held a walk-through, Gilmore was still listed as a full participant for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 13.
The #Vikings first injury report of the week. pic.twitter.com/Eqacpa3FsJ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 18, 2024
First Minnesota Vikings injury report for Week 16 vs. the Seattle Seahawks increases optimsm for a Stephon Gilmore return
Minnesota's secondary has been able to hold up pretty well in the last two weeks without Gilmore on the field. But it's safe to say the Vikings would still like to have him on the field for the final stretch of the regular season and in the playoffs.
Among Minnesota defensive backs who have been targeted by the the opposing quarterback at least 45 times this year, Gilmore ranks third with an allowed completion rate of 62.3 percent and he also currently has the best PFF run defense grade among all Vikings cornerbacks this season.
Getting him back will be huge for Minnesota's chances to win the final three games on their regular-season schedule and enter the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
As for the rest of the players on the Vikings' first injury report of the week, defensive lineman Jalen Redmond being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday is something to keep an eye on.
Redmond suffered a concussion during Monday's win over the Chicago Bears, and in the last few weeks, he's really emerged as a force in the middle of Minnesota's defensive line, especially as a run defender.
Luckily, the Vikings will be facing a Seattle team this weekend that currently ranks 20th in the NFL in rushing yards per carry, and both of their top running backs, Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet, missed the team's practice on Wednesday due to injuries.
So, if there was going to be a game that Minnesota would be okay with Redmond missing, this week's matchup against the Seahawks is one that they can probably still win without him.