First look at the health of both teams ahead of Sunday’s matchup
The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons released their first injury reports on Wednesday in advance of Sunday’s game. Here they are:
Atlanta Falcons
- CB Mike Hughes, Neck, Full Participant (FP)
- WR Drake London, not injury related (NIR)— rest, Limited Participant (LP)
- OLB Matthew Judon, NIR- rest, LP
- CB Kevin King, NIR- personal matter, LP
- LB Troy Andersen, Knee, LP
- LB Nate Landman, Hamstring, LP
- DE Zach Harrison, Achilles, LP
- DT Ruke Orhorhoro, Ankle, LP
- WR Darnell Mooney, Achilles/NIR-rest, Did not participate (DNP)
- RB Jase McClellan, Knee, DNP
At this point, no worrisome injuries for the Falcons when it comes to starters who may be ruled out for Sunday’s game at US Bank stadium. Both of Atlanta’s starting wide receivers- Drake London and Darnell Mooney, have been playing through a hip and Achilles injury. They are both expected to play on Sunday but may not be 100%.
Minnesota Vikings
- CB Stephon Gilmore, Hamstring, DNP
- S Jay Ward, elbow, DNP
- DT Jonathan Bullard, Toe, LP
- LB Blake Cashman, Knee, LP
- OLB Patrick Jones II, Knee, LP
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, Thigh, LP
- LS Andrew DePaola, Hand, FP
- TE Josh Oliver, Wrist/Ankle, FP
- K Will Reichard, Quad, FP
Kevin O’Connell commented on Stephon Gilmore, who didn’t practice today, saying they would be cautious with Gilmore, but wouldn’t hold him back if he feels good or push him if he didn’t, but didn’t rule out his practicing later this week. The addition the Vikings made to the cornerback room and Brian Flores saying Dwight McGlothern may ‘make his debut’ on Sunday suggests that they’re more likely to hold Gilmore out against the Falcons.
Jay Ward didn’t practice with an on-going elbow injury so his status is uncertain for Sunday.
On the positive side, Josh Oliver is back practicing and KOC said he’s likely to play on Sunday. Kicker Will Reichard and long-snapper Andrew DePaola are also practicing again and DePaola at least is expected to play on Sunday (they released the other long snapper) but they want to see how Reichard does this week in practice before making a decision on his status for Sunday’s game.
Guys that were limited including Bullard, Cashman, Jones, and Van Ginkel are likely working through minor injuries and are likely to play on Sunday.
So, bottom line at this point is that Stephon Gilmore seems less likely to play on Sunday but Josh Oliver, Will Reichard, and Andrew DePaola will be back on the field.
