Much of the chatter about the Minnesota Vikings during the last few days has had to do with their recent acquisition of quarterback Kirk Cousins, and rightfully so. But Cousins' first game back with the Vikings might not go as smoothly as some are hoping, thanks to what the team's final injury report revealed on Friday.
Five Minnesota players have already been ruled out for Sunday's big Week 10 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, including multiple starters. In addition, several other notable Vikings are questionable for the contest, which means the team could be without even more players this weekend.
Getting a road victory over the Packers on Sunday was already going to be difficult, but the injuries that Minnesota now has to overcome are certainly going to make things even harder.
Vikings final injury report before Week 10 battle on the road against the Packers
Blake Cashman - ILB (OUT)
Injury: Concussion
Blake Cashman is arguably the most valuable part of the Vikings' defense, so not having him out there on Sunday could become an issue.
Cashman has not only been playing at a very high level this season, but he also wears the green dot on his helmet, which means he's the one relaying the play calls to everyone else on Minnesota's defense.
Without him on the field making sure everyone is in their right spots, it could lead to some significant communication issues.
T.J. Hockenson - TE (OUT)
Injury: Wrist/Chest
Unfortunately for Cousins, he won't have the luxury of throwing to the Vikings' No. 1 tight end on Sunday, as T.J. Hockenson will miss his first game of the season.
Hockenson didn't practice at all this week, so his status for Week 10 wasn't a shock. But his absence is still one that will be difficult for Minnesota to overcome, and it could absolutely be something that has a direct impact on how well Cousins is able to perform.
Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins - DL (OUT)
Injury: Ankle
Thankfully, Green Bay will be without running back Josh Jacobs on Sunday, and his absence should help lessen the blow of the Vikings not having Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins available.
With Ingram-Dawkins unable to play, Minnesota rookie defensive lineman Caleb Banks is expected to be back out on the field this weekend after being a healthy scratch in Week 9.
Jauan Jennings - WR (OUT)
Injury: Calf
Jauan Jennings' impact on the Vikings has been minimal this season, and it's not going to get any better on Sunday now that a calf injury is going to keep him on the sideline.
With Jennings out of action, it's possible that Minnesota could have veteran wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. suit up for the game for the second week in a row.
Kyler Murray - QB (OUT)
Injury: Hamstring
For the second straight week, Kyler Murray didn't participate in any of the Vikings' practices during the last three days, so he won't even be a backup behind Cousins on Sunday.
Instead, it will be Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as Minnesota's backups this weekend, while Murray continues to recover from his conveniently-timed hamstring injury.
Jordan Addison - WR (QUESTIONABLE)
Injury: Thumb
Not having Jordan Addison out there in addition to Hockenson being sidelined definitely would not be ideal for Cousins this weekened. But if Addison is unable to play, perhaps the Vikings would rely more on their rushing attack to take some of the pressure off their quarterback.
Josh Metellus - S (QUESTIONABLE)
Injury: Shoulder
Given how well Packers quarterback Jordan Love has been at throwing it deep this season, Minnesota not having Josh Metellus available in its secondary would be potentially devastating.
Rookie safety Jacob Thomas was on the field for a season-high 55 percent of the Vikings' defensive snaps last week against the Buffalo Bills, and his snap count will probably be even higher on Sunday if Metellus can't suit up.
Kyle Van Noy - OLB (QUESTIONABLE)
Injury: Calf
After not taking part in Minnesota's first two practices of the week, Kyle Van Noy was a limited participant in the team's final practice on Friday.
Van Noy has been a solid rotational pass rusher for the Vikings this season, and if he can't go on Sunday, expect the team to turn to guys like Bo Richter and Chaz Chambliss to help fill the void.
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