Minnesota Vikings Lose Key Starters for Sunday Night Football

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Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings injury report has been a mess over the last few days, in the wake of their Week 1 victory against the Chicago Bears. While Kevin O’Connell’s team won the game, the roster took some serious body blows.

While Friday brought renewed hope with an additional day of practice, the game designations for multiple starters has been clarified. Unfortunately, the outcomes are not positive.

Defense loses two starters for MN Vikings

Last week Christian Darrisaw worked out pregame with a desire to be back on the field. Ultimately he was announced as out. Even now, the additional week of practice won’t give him time to get ready as he’ll miss a second straight game. This time, he’s being joined by starting defenders Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah.

Okudah has been talked up all throughout training camp and operated as a starter during Week 1. He was carted off at the end of the game and is now in concussion protocol.

The Vikings cornerback depth was already incredibly thin, and now the 53-man roster has just three players at the position. Fabian Moreau is on the practice squad. The veteran played multiple games for the Minnesota Vikings last year so an elevation for him makes sense.

The Vikings front seven has been the key to the defense thus far. Van Ginkel being removed from that group is a significant blow. Like Okudah, he too is progressing through concussion protocol.

That will force Dallas Turner to step up in a big way. With Blake Cashman going on injured reserve yesterday, the linebacker position and edge rushing group is now in quite a state of flux.

McCarthy back at Minnesota Vikings practice

Thursday J.J. McCarthy missed practice for the Vikings as he and his fiance, Katya Kuropas, welcomed their baby boy to the world. While O’Connell is constantly providing great messaging for his young leader, he did have some words of wisdom for him to take to the hospital

Not only will McCarthy be under center to reprise his award-winning performance from Week 1 on Sunday Night, but now he’ll be doing it with the added benefit of dad strength.

Veterans are key for Vikings on Sunday

It remains to be seen if Harrison Smith can go Sunday night. He has been out with an undisclosed illness, and it sounds as though the hurdle now is conditioning. His presence on the back end of the defense would be a boost to the group, and help to mitigate the cornerback situation.

Minnesota Vikings center Ryan Kelly did go into the medical tent on Monday night, but he has no injury designation and will be good to go.

Ty Chandler was also placed on injured reserve earlier this week, meaning Myles Price will have increased return duties. Undrafted rookie running back Zavier Scott could also see some action there.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Wasted No Time Delivering Legendary Message

The Vikings are set to square off against the Atlanta Falcons in a second-straight primetime game. J.J. McCarthy will battle against Michael Penix Jr. and look to best him as he did during the National Championship two years ago.

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