The Minnesota Vikings and Cincinnati Bengals have issued their first injury reports of the week ahead of their Sunday matchup at US Bank stadium. Here they are:
Minnesota Vikings
- LT Christian Darrisaw, Knee, Full
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, Concussion, Limited
- C Ryan Kelly, Concussion, DNP
- LT Justin Skule, Concussion, DNP
- CB Jeff Okudah, Concussion, Full
- S Harrison Smith, Illness, Limited
- QB J.J. McCarthy, Ankle, DNP
- OLB Jonathan Greenard, Oblique, Limited
- LG Donovan Jackson, Wrist, Limited
- S Theo Jackson, Hip, Limited
- TE Josh Oliver, Ankle, Limited
- LB Austin Keys, Groin, Limited
The Vikings will be without J.J. McCarthy at quarterback on Sunday, meaning Carson Wentz will get the start and Max Brosmer will be the backup and new hire Desmond Ridder will be the emergency third QB on the roster. My guess is that we don’t see McCarthy until after the Vikings’ bye week, but we’ll see. He is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.
Christian Darrisaw’s status is murky at best, given his on again, off again rehab schedule at this point. Kevin O’Connell gives the same vague answer every week about Darrisaw’s status but it doesn’t seem like much progress has been made the last few weeks. That said, if things go well this week he could start on Sunday. But with Justin Skule in concussion protocol, it seems more likely that Walter Rouse will start at left tackle if Darrisaw can’t go on Sunday.
This is the fourth concussion for Ryan Kelly since 2023 and for that reason I doubt he’ll play on Sunday, meaning backup Micheal Jurgens will get the start.
Jeff Okudah appears to be further along the concussion protocol than Andrew Van Ginkel, but still possible both will play on Sunday. Jonathan Greenard returned to play on Sunday after suffering an oblique injury, which makes me think he’ll play on Sunday. Harrison Smith’s status remains murky but if he becomes a full participant this week I would expect him to play on Sunday. The remaining players that were limited are dealing with minor injuries and are likely to play on Sunday as well.
Cincinnati Bengals
- G Dylan Fairchild, Shoulder, Full
- DE Shemar Stewart, Ankle, DNP
- CB Cam Taylor-Britt, Hamstring, Limited
- LB Logan Wilson, Ankle, Limited
Of course the big injury for the Bengals is to starting QB Joe Burrow, who will miss Sunday’s game and isn’t expected back for a few months. Dylan Fairchild is the starter at left guard, but as a full participant today seems likely to play on Sunday. Shemar Stewart is a starter at defensive tackle who suffered an ankle injury last weekend and didn’t practice today. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he will miss Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Cam Taylor-Britt plays outside corner in nickel situations for the Bengals and suffered what is termed a minor hamstring injury in practice today and was limited. Hamstrings are tricky injuries, so this is something to monitor the rest of the week. Logan Wilson is a starting linebacker for the Bengals, so his status the rest of the week is worth monitoring as well.
Both teams are on backup quarterbacks and likely to be missing at least a couple other key starters as well. The Vikings have quite the laundry list of injured players, but hopefully this weekend will see the return of a few key starters that have missed time.
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