The Minnesota Vikings are no strangers to injuries. They’ve had seasons ruined by key players being out for an entire season, or crucial games. This year has seemed to be no different despite the Vikings continuing to find ways to win.
Ahead of Wednesday’s Injury Report, a few key players had been out for a couple of weeks that Vikings fans have been hoping to return soon. Cameron Dantzler Sr., the 3rd year cornerback out of Mississippi State has been out since the Vikings’ Week 9 matchup against the Washington Commanders with an ankle injury. Stud left tackle Christian Darrisaw has been on and off since getting a concussion against the Buffalo Bills, and again against the Dallas Cowboys.
Cameron Dantzler Sr.
Good news for Vikings fans, as Dantzler Sr. has been designated to return from the IR this week, giving him a 21-day window to return to the playing field. Dantzler Sr. will most likely be a limited participant in practices leading up to the Vikings’ Week 14 matchup against the Detroit Lions, but if all goes well, we could see Dantzler Sr. on the field Sunday.
Christian Darrisaw
Darrisaw has finally returned to practice after getting concussions in back-to-back games. The best case scenario is that Darrisaw will be back on the field next week against the Lions, but the Vikings may take precautions and save his return for Week 15 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Akayleb Evans
For the third time this season, rookie cornerback Akayleb Evans is out with a concussion. Evans returned to the field last week against the Jets but exited the game late in the 3rd quarter with concussion-like symptoms. The Vikings placed Evans in concussion protocol after the game and he will miss the Week 14 contest against the Detroit Lions.
Illness Related
Three Vikings players missed practice this past Wednesday with undisclosed illnesses. Those players include Harrison Smith, Patrick Peterson, and Danielle Hunter. Illnesses are typically never serious in football, but we will see as the week progresses and we get closer to game day.
With the possibility of two key players returning to the offense and defense, this might be one of the most important injury reports that the Vikings have released this season. Getting Dantzler Sr. and Darrisaw back for the game against the Lions would be huge, but if their return is delayed by a little bit, Vikings fans should not fret as the Vikings have already secured a playoff spot and with a win over the Lions this upcoming Sunday, can secure the division for the first time since 2019.
