3 Key Vikings Players Will Miss Sunday’s Game
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings will put their unforeseen undefeated streak on the line Sunday versus the Houston Texans. The franchise is expected to lose by 1.5 points, but it was also supposed to sputter by five points last weekend versus the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, Minnesota took down the 49ers by six.
3 Key Vikings Players Will Miss Sunday’s Game
But it won’t be easy — at all — versus Houston, especially with three key players out.
John Jones-Imagn Images.
These are the players already ruled out for Vikings-Texans, listed in alphabetical order.
1. Jordan Addison (WR)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Injury: Ankle
Minnesota won without Addison last week and, in fact, often felt in complete control of the 49ers contest. WR3 Jalen Nailor rose to the occasion — in more ways than one on Justin Jefferson’s 97-yard touchdown — so onlookers aren’t too paranoid about his outlook for Sunday.
However, Addison is a better route runner than Nailor and is generally more reliable. He’ll be missed. Thankfully, he likely won’t miss too much more time, possibly on tap to play against the Green Bay Packers next weekend.
For Week 3, though, it’s the Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor, Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, and Trishton Jackson show.
Next Man Up: Jalen Nailor
2. Ivan Pace Jr. (ILB)
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports.
Injury: Quad/Ankle
Perhaps the most surprising ailment, fans didn’t know Pace Jr. was in too much jeopardy throughout the week. But he will, indeed, miss Week 3, paving the way for veteran linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill.
Pace Jr. mans the middle of Minnesota’s defense, so, like Addison, his loss is a gut punch. Still, Brian Flores’ defense has displayed more roster depth in back-to-back games than the 2023 season, so the forecast need not be doomsdayist.
All eyes will turn to Pace Jr.’s status for Week 4 at Lambeau.
Next Man Up: Kamu Grugier-Hill
3. Dallas Turner (OLB)
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
Injury: Knee
The Vikings will be sans both 2024 1st-Rounders this weekend — no J.J. McCarthy and no Dallas Turner. He tweaked his knee against San Franciso and is reportedly taking it easy to be ready for Green Bay in eight days.
On the other hand, Flores’ pass rush has not suffered, and unsung contributors like Patrick Jones II and Jihad Wars have done as much damage as Turner through two games.
Turner will get to sink his teeth into the Packers on September 29th if all goes according to plan.
Next Man Up: Patrick Jones II | Jihad Ward
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
