Vikings are preparing to be without star defender ahead of crucial divisional matchup
Injuries are a major part of the National Football League and the Minnesota Vikings aren't exempt from that. Thursday's injury report has been released and it still only has five names. CB Stephon Gilmore (hamstring): Did not practiceRB Aaron Jones (back): FullOLB Pat Jones II (knee): FullOLB Andrew Van Ginkel (hip): FullTE Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle): […]
Injuries are a major part of the National Football League and the Minnesota Vikings aren't exempt from that. Thursday's injury report has been released and it still only has five names.
- CB Stephon Gilmore (hamstring): Did not practice
- RB Aaron Jones (back): Full
- OLB Pat Jones II (knee): Full
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (hip): Full
- TE Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle): Full
This is now the fifth consecutive practice that Gilmore has missed with his hamstring injury. It's not uncommon for players to miss time with a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Justin Jefferson missed seven games with one last season. Without Gilmore, the Vikings will be leaning more on Shaquill Griffin, Fabian Moreau and Dwight McGlothern.
The good news for the Vikings is that Van Ginkel, Jones and Jones all improved to full participants in practice while Oliver also remained as a full participant.
The Bears also have a lengthy list of players on the injury list.
- OL Ryan Bates (concussion): Did not practice
- DT Gervon Dexter (knee): Did not practice
- RB Roschon Johnson (concussion): Did not practice
- TE Marcedes Lewis (not injury related-rest): Did not practice
- RB D'Andre Swift (groin): Did not practice
- DB Josh Blackwell (shoulder): Limited
- DB Elijah Hicks (ankle): Limited
- RB Travis Homer (head): Full
The biggest ones on here are Dexter and Swift. Not having both of them could be a huge factor in the Vikings getting the win on Monday night. The final injury report is set to come out on Saturday afternoon and will tell us who will and won't be playing on Monday night in a critical NFC North battle.
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