The Minnesota Vikings have their playoff hopes hanging in the balance when they face the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

The only way for them to make the playoffs is to win the next five games, and the Green Bay Packers lose the next five games. That isn’t likely to happen for the Vikings, but this game has another potential meaning: draft position.

If the Vikings end up losing, it will improve their draft position, but they want to win this and every game. If they want to get the win, they will need players to get healthy. Here is the first injury report.

Minnesota Vikings Wednesday injury report

Player	Injury	W/T/F	Designation
LG Donovan Jackson	Ankle	DNP
DT Levi Drake Rodriguez	Neck	DNP
DT Jonathan Allen	Not Injury Related-Rest	Limited
OG Blake Brandel	Concussion	Limited
RB Ty Chandler	Knee	Limited
EDGE Jonathan Greenard	Shoulder	Limited
DT Javon Hargrave	Not Injury Related-Rest	Limited
S Theo Jackson	Neck	Limited
RB Aaron Jones	Shoulder	Limited
C Ryan Kelly	Hip	Limited
S Josh Metellus	Shoulder	Limited
DT Jalen Redmond	Hip	Limited
S Harrison Smith	Not Injury Related-Rest	Limited
LT Christian Darrisaw	Knee	Full
QB J.J. McCarthy	Concussion	Full

Observations

• McCarthy needed to practice in full to clear the concussion protocol. This is a very good sign that he will end up starting on Sunday afternoon.
• On the other hand, Brandel entered concussion protocol, which could force Joe Huber into the starting role with Jackson potentially being out.
• Chandler also had his 21-day practice window activated after suffering a knee injury in the season opener.
• The one serious addition that we haven’t seen in recent weeks is Rodriguez. Having him miss the game could be tough on the Vikings, especially in trying to stop the run.

Washington Commanders Wednesday injury report

Player	Injury	W/T/F	Designation
TE Zach Ertz	Not Injury Related-Rest	DNP
DE Drake Jackson	Knee/Groin	DNP
DT Javon Kinlaw	Back	DNP
EDGE Von Miller	Not Injury Related-Rest	DNP
LT Laremy Tunsil	Not Injury Related-Rest	DNP
LB Bobby Wagner	Knee	DNP
QB Jayden Daniels	Left Elbow	Limited
LB Frankie Luvu	Shoulder	Limited
WR Noah Brown	Groin/Knee	Full
LS Tyler Ott	Back	Full

Observations

• The headliner here is Daniels. He dislocated his elbow a few weeks back on Sunday night in garbage time. If he does return on Sunday night, that could be brutal for the Vikings.
• Wagner and Luvu being hurt could mean the Vikings try to attack the middle of the field with the running backs and T.J. Hockenson.