A loss at home vs the Niners on Monday night, with the entire football world watching, would almost certainly force GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah into sell mode, especially with the NFL trade deadline looming 9 days later (Oct 31).

Related: Danielle Hunter Trade Value: Can Vikings Land 1st Round Pick for the NFL Sack Leader?

San Francisco 49ers injuries leading up to MNF vs Minnesota Vikings

There’s no doubt that Vikings vs 49ers will be greatly affected by San Francisco injuries; a list that includes three of their best and most important pieces to winning.

Running back – Christian McCaffery (All-Pro), wide receiver – Deebo Samuel (All-Pro) and left tackle – Trent Williams (2x All-Pro) are all on the team’s injury report this week, but we got more clarity on the Niners injury report Sunday.

Neither Deebo nor Trent Williams participated in Niners practice this week and McCaffrey worked off to the side, on his own. On Sunday, Samuel was ruled out, Williams doubtful and McCaffrey questionable, though the latter was expected to play.

On Monday, it was reiterated by both Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) and Adam Schefter (ESPN) that McCaffrey will suit up. The 2x All-Pro left tackle, Trent Williams, however, will join Deebo Samuel on the sidelines without pads on.

From @GMFB: #Eagles QB Jalen Hurts finished the game with a knee brace; #Browns QB Deshaun Watson will start next week; #49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (oblique) is expected to go tonight. pic.twitter.com/ctauiiJ032

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 23, 2023

"Christian McCaffrey is gonna be out there tonight but he didn't take a hit in practice all week long..

Trent Williams isn't gonna play tonight for the 49ers" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/jtq6rCHPe6

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 23, 2023

Deebo Samuel (Shoulder): Out

Deebo Samuel has been dealing with a shoulder injury all season. As a result, he’s had big games some weeks, taken the field as mostly a decoy other weeks, but he’s limped his way through all six Niner games this season.

Trent Williams (Ankle): Out

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 7

McCaffrey and Williams’ injuries, however, both happened last week vs the Cleveland Browns. Trent Williams, one of the best offensive linemen of the last decade, had his ankle rolled up on early.

He left the game, but returned after having it taped up. It’s been diagnosed as an ankle injury, but not of the high-ankle variety. Williams played through the injury, but was clearly uncomfortable and had it in a boot postgame. Now, he’s been ruled out vs the Vikings.

LT Trent Williams’ right foot is in a walking boot after this one. He said he toughed it out after the injury because he didn’t want to put his team or Jaylon Moore in a tough spot against Myles Garrett.

Nick Wagoner – ESPN

Christian McCaffrey (Ribs/Oblique): Questionable (Probable)

Earlier in the week, it was reported by Matt Maiocco’s (NBC Sports – Bay Area) that the 27-year-old former Stanford phenom‘s status for Monday will come down to pain tolerance. We’ll monitor these 49ers injuries, as this week moves forward, but for now, Minnesota Vikings fans should expect that McCaffrey will be suited up at US Bank Stadium on Monday night.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Wow @RapSheet just said Trent Williams “made it known he’d rather not go to Minnesota” and that’s what ended trade talks.

Well, fuck you too then.

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 25, 2020

pic.twitter.com/rN3TBL2efu

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 25, 2020

I’m starting to believe Trent Williams doesn’t want to play football anywhere in 2020 or beyond. It looks like the Vikings and Redskins were on the verge of sealing a deal tonight during night-2 of the NFL Draft, when Williams “let it be known” that he didn’t want to be in Minnesota.

That’s when the Vikings and Redskins cutoff their trade discussions and the Spielman took Ezra Cleveland with the 58th pick of the draft. I’m guessing it’s a weather thing, like usual, but it is worth noting that Williams and Cousins played together in Washington.

Vikings fans would have happily welcomed a Trent Williams trade but the guy was going to be 32 years old by the time the NFL season was to start and he still wanted a contract extension before stepping on the field.

We’re now entering day 3 of the draft and the Vikings are yet to really address their offensive line, outside of a 3rd round pick who looks skinny enough to play tight end.

Luckily though, Rick Spielman was able to trade down 17 times and amass 43 more picks between rounds 6 and 7. If lucky, he’ll be able to gather every draft pick in those two rounds so he doesn’t have to convince anyone to come here in undrafted free agency.

via GIPHY

9AM UPDATE:

Since we know players NEVER lie (even if there’s a fire)… I’m left asking why @RapSheet still has a job this morning. https://t.co/nKrwEfSiu0

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) April 25, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Redskins angle on something we've talked at length about on @SKORNorth and @KSTP in recent weeks: The #Vikings are a team to watch on the Trent Williams front. John covers Washington for ESPN and in his latest podcast mentions the MN interest. https://t.co/iCzX7Ydnwk

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) April 19, 2020

With all the talk about Odell Beckham Jr these last couple days, we’ve gotten distracted from other players around the league, who the Vikings may or may not be interested in. Trent Williams is a name that has been on the Washington trade block since last season.

Reilly Reiff has been serviceable at LT for the Vikings but his $13 mil cap hit is high, and if you are going to pay that or a bit more, the money would be best served towards a potential franchise-changing player like Trent Williams.

Darren Wolfson (KSTP/SKOR North) says the Vikings are still talking with Washington (tweet above) and he is quote-tweeting John Keim, who covers the Redskins for ESPN, dropped a new podcast today. In that podcast, John mentioned the Vikings as his favorite to land Williams, as well. He dropped a couple of bombs that involve the Vikings and the Washington left tackle. You don’t have to wait long after pressing play. His Trent Williams notes are first on his topic list. (Scroll to the 01:34 mark)

“I know Minnesota was one of the teams definitely interested and I think they probably remain the team to watch. Whether they get him or not, I don’t know.”

The John Keim Report Podcast

If the Vikings could seal the deal for the Washington left tackle, they’d solidify both ends of the OL, while simultaneously making Reiff dispensable. The options would be endless with him. Spielman could approach him for a contract restructure, maybe a move to LG…. or a move to a new team.

Keim says the Redskins would be willing to take picks for the 2021 Draft, if that’s the best offer… the Vikings have to like that because they need their picks next weekend! With the potential loss of Williams, it might even make sense to package Reiff, along with whatever potential picks you ship out…

I talked to someone a week ago and the feeling is, they’ll be just as happy adding picks in next year’s draft, as well as this year’s. So whatever it goes. If they get them for 2021, they’re going to be just ok.

The John Keim Report Podcast

Taking Reiff as part of the trade package would give the Redskins someone proven, if only for one season, to help protect Haskins (or whoever they take on Thursday night). Reiff would be better than nothing, which is what they’d have if they stand-pat and do nothing, because Williams has made it clear that he’s not playing there.

We may be in the middle of a pandemic, but with less than a week remaining before the draft, things are going to start happening soon enough. Chaos will unfold… and I’m here for all of it.

Trent Williams and Kirk Cousins were teammates in Washington from 2012-2017. I think it’s safe to say, Cousins would welcome some trusted protection for his blind side…

Brian Heintz | Minnesota Sports Fan

| WATCH |

| LISTEN |

In episode 174 of Bleeding Purple, we chat with Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press, who gives insight into the Vikings plans for drafting a QB in a few weeks and what the hell they will do with Anthony Harris. What does Harris want?

Then, we DEEPLY dive into a few Twitter questions:

• Who’s gonna have the best 2nd year as far as last years rookies go? – @SIKMOB
• Don’t get me wrong I love Dalvin, but are the Vikings doing too much to keep a run first offense together? – @BIG_Lang_Theory
• If you could go back to one game from Vikings history and change the outcome, what would you go back to? – @jason_meyer98

You can subscribe and listen to the Bleeding Purple Podcast by clicking on your favorite listening platform, below:

The rumors are true…. I’ve joined the Bleeding Purple Podcast and will be co-hosting episodes with Adam Patrick of The Viking Age, twice per week (airing on Tuesdays and Thursdays), going forward!

I co-hosted the last couple episodes with him over the last month and he asked if I’d come on full-time. After weeks of excruciating negotiations, we’ve come to a deal. This is proof, that if you talk loudly and often enough, anything can happen.

Our first official episode was last night. We talked about the Trent Williams trade rumors, Dalvin Cook, and whether the NFL should cancel the draft because of Coronavirus.

Starting by next week, we will have episodes watchable on YouTube, on top of the listening options already available! Subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE. We plan on having big time guests that you won’t want to miss! Also follow the show on Twitter.

You can subscribe and listen to the Bleeding Purple Podcast by clicking on your favorite listening platform, below:

.@DWolfsonKSTP discusses the #Vikings interest in Trent Williams. pic.twitter.com/6SI1PG3l0L

— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) March 25, 2020

So, the Vikings are interested in Trent Williams. That much has been made very clear over the last few days. A lot of that talk has surrounded Anthony Harris, because their 2020 cap numbers and value in the open market are pretty similar.

Harris is franchised tagged at $11.4M for 2020 and Williams is in the final year of a deal that will pay him $12.5M in 2020. If either were traded for draft picks, return compensation would require a 3rd rounder for sure, but both teams would probably open negotiations asking for a 2nd.

If Washington wanted Harris and the Vikings decided he + his $11M+ franchise tag were expendable, they could flip the two straight up. If Washington doesn’t want to make that deal, then you can hope to flip Harris to a different team, for a pick the Redskins would exchange for Williams. Both scenarios lead to the same place.

Can the Vikings get Trent Williams to Minnesota under the salary cap, however, if Anthony Harris is still on the roster? Or, do those two have their Vikings’ fates tied together, Harry Potter/Voldermort style?

The answer is, “no”. They’re futures in purple don’t have to be negatively tied together like the wrong ends of two magnets. The flexibility of Riley Reiff’s contract gives the Vikings another option. He would become expendable at left tackle, should the Vikings decide to trade for Williams. Cutting Reiff would clear $8.8M in cap space, leaving Trent’s net cost for 2020, at just $3.7M (Williams contract – Reiff’s contract), which is easily under what the Vikings currently have available.

Harris’ battle to stay on roster might not be against Williams. It might be against the vacant mid-round pick created when we trade for the Washington left guard, in this hypothetical scenario.

If the Vikings bring in Williams and keep Harris, I can’t see them making any more moves this offseason. After signing draft picks and extending Cook, they’d be pretty strapped. Trading Harris, after bringing in Williams, would give them more cap flexibility than what they had before upgrading at left tackle (about $15M before Cook extension)… but then they’d have another hole to fill at safety…

….ah the joys of salary cap conundrums.

No matter what the Vikings decide with Harris, they need to trade for Trent Williams. We need to upgrade our line in the worst way and he is the only guarantee you have right now, to make that happen. You can decide if you’d rather have Harris or that mid-round 2020 pick later… but it’s time to cut Reiff and get Williams here no matter what.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan