Some improvement for the purple
The Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions updated their injury reports today in advance of Sunday’s game. Here are the updated statuses:
Detroit Lions
- CB Carlton Davis, Quad, DNP (did not practice)
- RG Kevin Zeitler, Groin, LP (Limited)
- S Brian Branch, Knee, FP (full participant)
- G Christian Mahogany, Illness, FP
- C Frank Ragnow, Rest, FP
- OT Dan Skipper, Ribs, FP
The big one on the list for the Lions continues to be starting corner Carleton Davis, who did not practice again today with a quad injury. That makes it less likely he’ll play on Sunday, but whether he goes in Friday’s practice will likely determine that.
Starting right guard Kevin Zeitler was on the injury report yesterday for a veteran rest day, but today he was limited due to a groin injury, which is new. Probably not something that will keep him out on Sunday, but worth monitoring.
Minnesota Vikings
- LB Blake Cashman, Toe, DNP
- CB Akayleb Evans, Hip, DNP
- OLB Patrick Jones II, Shoulder, LP
- RB Aaron Jones, Hamstring, LP
- DT Harrison Phillips, Shoulder, LP
- TE T.J. Hockenson, Knee, LP
- G Dalton Risner, Back, LP
- S Theo Jackson, Hand, FP
- TE Josh Oliver, Wrist, FP
Some improvement over yesterday’s report for the Vikings, as both Aaron and Patrick Jones and Harrison Phillips moved from DNP yesterday to limited today, putting them on track to play on Sunday.
Blake Cashman not practicing again today does not bode well for him playing on Sunday.
T.J. Hockenson remained limited in Thursday’s practice, as did Dalton Risner. although I believe both are recovered from their injuries. I would imagine Hockenson would need to be a full participant in Friday’s practice to be more of a sure thing to play on Sunday.
Update: It looks like the Vikings will wait to insert Hockenson back into the lineup:
Justin Jefferson on T.J. Hockenson: “I was wanting him to come back this week, but sadly he has to get that preparation of being in front of people and running routes on people. But we’ll have him soon, so I’m definitely looking forward to it.” https://t.co/0oer4cm2u2
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 17, 2024
Aaron Jones provided some detail on his injury in a press conference yesterday. He described it as more of a hip muscle injury than a hamstring, which he felt tightening during warmups ahead of the Jets game in London. It got better but later during the game when he caught the pass from Nick Mullens, he felt it tighten up again. He played another couple snaps before the Vikings’ training staff decided to shut him down so he didn’t worsen things.
He’s since had a full gamut of treatments, from stretching to acupuncture to deep tissue massage to Cryotherapy. He thought he’d be ready to play on Sunday but was leaving it to the training staff to make the final call. His being upgraded to limited today is a good sign.
Akayleb Evans not practicing again today does not bode well for him being available on Sunday.
Overall, mostly good news on the injury front for the Vikings ahead of the Lions game. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.
Follow me on X @wludford