Minnesota Vikings Injury Updates on Brian O’Neill and Stephon Gilmore, Among Others

The Minnesota Vikings just keep on rolling along. Another win Monday night vs the floundering Chicago Bears improved the Vikings’ 2024 regular season record to 12-2 and allowed them to retake control of their own playoff destiny in the NFC.

They earned their week 15 victory without top cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and went a quarter or two without right tackle Brian O’Neill, who hurt his knee in the 2nd quarter. Punter Ryan Wright had to go through concussion protocol too, after being lit up during his final punt of the afternoon.

Thankfully, O’Neill gave an optimistic update on his injured right knee, immediately after the game. In more good news, Ryan Wright cleared his concussion tests and seems to be okay, going forward.

Kevin O’Connell gives Minnesota Vikings injury updates on Tuesday

On Tuesday afternoon, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell met with media and gave injury updates on all of the players listed above, plus a few other updates, including one on Jalen Redmond and Pat Jones.

Related: No 12th Man? Vikings Open as Road Favorites vs Seahawks

O’Connell confirmed that, while right tackle Brian O’Neill is sore today, he is expected to play on Sunday vs the Seattle Seahawks. On top of that, KOC marked Stephon Gilmore as likely to play Sunday, as well.

“I want to update you guys on some injuries. Obviously, we had Brian [O’Neill] with the knee [injury] return to the game [Monday night]. He’s sore, but should be able to work through the week and I am expecting to have him available. Pat Jones was available to return the game, as well.

I had a couple guys, Fabian Moreau ended up coming in [today] with some hip soreness. So, we will see how he handles the week and kind of works through it. We are expecting Steph Gilmore working back in and potentially be back available this week.

And then, Jalen Redmond did get kind of identified by the independent [doctor], and was put into the concussion protocol, but did come in feeling really good today. So, he will go through that protocol throughout the week, and we hope to have him available, but that will be strictly a medical thing, as he works through that.”

Kevin O’Connell updates media on Minnesota Vikings injuries (Tuesday afternoon)

Brian O’Neill is okay | Stephon Gilmore to return? | No mention of Sam Darnold…

The first Minnesota Vikings injury report of the week will drop on Wednesday. It will be interesting to see if the names above are the only names listed tomorrow afternoon. Remember, Sam Darnold had a wrap of some sort around his right pinky, during the 2nd half vs the Bears.

We will see if he lands on the report tomorrow. But at least for now, there has been no mention of Sam’s pinky by media or anyone in the Minnesota Vikings organization, since the game vs Chicago ended on Monday night. So even if he does hit tomorrow’s report, I do not have any concern over whether or not he will play on Sunday vs the Seahawks.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Vikings in Convincing MNF Win Over Bears

Instead, we got nothing but good news from the Vikings’ head coach this afternoon. Not only is Brian O’Neill going to be ok, but so is Pat Jones. On top of that, Stephon Gilmore is expected back as the CB1 of a secondary that had rookie QB Caleb Williams scrambling for options.

Minnesota has opened as a -3.5 point favorite in Seattle. As long as nothing changes dramatically in the next 24 hours, it sounds like Vikings’ injuries will play little part in moving that line, as the week goes on.