September 19, 2024

It's a new day for the Minnesota Vikings, Part I: Culture Shock

Vikings injury report for Week 1 features unexpected players which caused fear among supporters

For the most part, the first Minnesota Vikings injury report of the 2024 NFL season isn’t too concerning. Only two players are listed on the report the Vikings sent out on Wednesday, but they’re both from the same position group.

Minnesota’s first injury report before the team’s Week 1 game against the New York Giants features receivers Jordan Addison and Jalen Nailor. Both Vikings pass-catchers were listed as limited participants in the team’s practice on Wednesday due to ankle injuries.

Jalen Nailor a surprise on the first Minnesota Vikings injury report for Week 1
We already knew about Addison’s ankle injury before Wednesday, as he suffered that during a joint practice with the Cleveland Browns in August. But Nailor also dealing with an injured ankle isn’t something that anyone really saw coming before Minnesota released its first injury report of the week.

Vikings place Jalen Nailor on injured reserve | Yardbarker

The hope is that at least one of them will be able to suit up for the Vikings on Sunday against the Giants because if they’re both out, then Minnesota will be left with a wide receiver group behind Justin Jefferson that consists of Brandon Powell, Trent Sherfield, and Trishton Jackson.

During his press conference on Wednesday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shared the following about Addison’s potential to play this weekend in New York.

O’Connell didn’t sound as confident when he was asked about Nailor playing on Sunday, so that will be something to keep an eye on.

Minnesota was already going to be without one of its top weapons in the team’s passing attack against the Giants, with Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson out for at least the first four games of the season while he continues to recover from the torn ACL he suffered in 2023.

Addison was supposed to help make up for the loss of Hockenson, so if he can’t suit up on Sunday, then the Vikings will have to get more creative than usual with their passing plays.

Vikings' Jordan Addison Carted Off with Ankle Injury; Reportedly Not  'Serious' | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report

The good news is that as long as Minnesota still has Jefferson out on the field, then New York still won’t be able to take the Vikings’ passing attack lightly. Having Addison in the lineup would just make life a whole lot easier for Jefferson and the rest of Minnesota’s offense this weekend, so, hopefully, he’s able to play.

Minnesota Vikings fans understandably were crushed to learn in August that promising rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, would be sidelined indefinitely after he underwent a full meniscus repair.

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