Injury bug hits Vikings in big way and it could be a determining factor in Week 2 vs. Falcons
Not a great start to week 2 for the Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings were struck by the injury bug in their week 1 win over the Chicago Bears.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to the media on Wednesday afternoon and gave updates on multiple Vikings who are dealing with injuries.
- ILB Blake Cashman (hamstring)
- CB Jeff Okudah (concussion)
- EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion)
- RB Ty Chandler (knee)
Minnesota Vikings dealing with multiple injuries
Going into the season opener, the Vikings did have four players miss the game in left tackle Christian Darrisaw, safety Harrison Smith, running back Zavier Scott, and defensive lineman Elijah Williams. O’Connell said that the first two will continue ramping up, and the latter two will return to practice.
Luckily for the Vikings, it seems that Smith is closer to playing each passing day, as they are trying to get him ramped up and back onto the field.
We knew that Cashman had a chance to miss some time when he came up lame against the Bears in the second half. He was set to have an MRI on the hamstring upon returning to Minnesota. If the Vikings believe he can return before the bye week, he won’t go on injured reserve. Otherwise, he would have six weeks to heal up before the Vikings play the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.
Okudah got injured on the final play of the game when the Bears tried a hook-and-ladder. He was unfortunately the recipient of friendly fire and was helped off the field. Van Ginkel is a new addition to the list, as is Chandler.
Not having Van Ginkel will be a tough one for the Vikings, but Dallas Turner played well on Monday night and can step up. Chandler is a different story. He is an important part of the special teams units and could be replaced by Scott. However, that would require him to be healthy.
We are still a few days away from the final decision needing to be made, but it’s not a great start for the Vikings.
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