Updates on the Vikings’ 3 Big Injuries
Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings are enjoying a bye week at the moment after toppling the New York Jets in London on Sunday. In 12 days, Minnesota will host the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium, one of the most important and hyped regular season showdowns of the last decade.
Updates on the Vikings’ 3 Big Injuries
And like 31 other NFL clubs, the Vikings are battling notable injuries — and those are excluding the summer season-enders to quarterback J.J. McCarthy and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon.
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images. The Vikings defeated the New York Jets in London, running their 2024 start-of-season win streak to five games.
So, these are updates on Minnesota’s three main injuries during the bye.
1. T.J. Hockenson (TE)
Tight end T.J. Hockenson, left, and the Minnesota Vikings prepare to take the field prior to a game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. © Kareem Elgazzar / USA TODAY NETWORK. – Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Injury:
Torn ACL last December.
The Update:
Minnesota opened Hockenson’s practice window last Friday. Barring a setback, Hockenson will be in the Vikings’ lineup within the next 17 days — which realistically means after the bye week at home versus the Detroit Lions or on the road at the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.
A source told VikingsTerritory two weeks ago that Hockenson would likely return for the Rams game.
The Expected Return Date:
vs. Lions (10/20)
— or —
at. Rams (10/24)
2. Aaron Jones (RB)
John Jones-Imagn Images.
The Injury:
Hip ailment suffered in the win over the Jets in London.
The Update:
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Jones’ injury status on Tuesday, “He continues to be evaluated, but all the early information we’ve got so far, it looks like we’ve avoided a long-term injury. I’d classify him week to week at this point.”
O’Connell’s words also mirror an update from Pro Football Talk on Sunday evening. “The veteran left Sunday’s 23-17 win over the Jets with a hip injury,” Mike Florio wrote late Sunday. “Initially, he was questionable to return. Then, he was ruled out. Initial word is that, by the time the Vikings return to action after their Week 6 bye, Jones should be good to go. They need him.”
The only knock on Jones’ career resume is injuries here and there. It’s no surprise at all that Jones is hobbled.
The Expected Return Date:
vs. Lions (10/20)
— or —
at. Rams (10/24)
3. Dalton Risner (OG)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The Injury:
Back injury from the summer.
The Update:
The Vikings did not activate Risner’s practice window as they did Hockenson last Friday. “More than likely, we’re going to hold off on Dalton. I’ll circle back with you guys after the bye,” O’Connell told reporters last Wednesday about not opening his window.
Meanwhile, right guard Ed Ingram has struggled in his third NFL season, seeming like the kind of player who could be benched for a guy like Risner. Stay tuned.
The Expected Return Date:
To Be Determined — probably November.
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.
