The Minnesota Vikings are back from their bye week. They’ll take on the Detroit Lions in what will be one of the biggest games of the year. With a massive divisional game on the horizon, the Vikings are going to need every available player they have to remain undefeated and a top of the NFC North.
Let’s take a look at the latest injury news of three key injured players.
Minnesota Vikings injury updates: How is Aaron Jones doing?
At this point, Minnesota Vikings’ fans are well aware of how much running back Aaron Jones has elevated this offense. Jones hasn’t missed a game this season, however, he suffered a hip injury in the London game against the New York Jets.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell classified Jones’ injury as “week-to-week” when he spoke to the media on Tuesday last week. With the Vikings on their bye week, they resumed practice early this week. The team logged their first practice in preparation for the Lions game on Monday.
Although an official injury report won’t be submitted by the team until Wednesday, Jones was moving around on the practice field quite well on Monday. Encouraging news, given he’s a focal point of the Minnesota Vikings’ offense.
The Vikings injury update everyone is waiting for: When is T.J. Hockenson back?
Star tight end T.J. Hockenson has yet to play a snap this year for the Minnesota Vikings, after suffering a torn MCL/ACL late last season against the Detroit Lions. The team opened Hock’s 21-day practice window on October 4th.
It’s unclear if Hockenson will return this week, given he will only have logged five practices prior to Sunday’s game. O’Connell, appearing on KFAN Tuesday , was unsure of when Hockenson will be officially activated but stated that he’s had some great practices since returning.
It is worth noting, however, that the Vikings do play against T.J. Hockenson’s former team, a team that happens to be a division rival, and who’s currently favored to win the NFC North, even though the Vikings enter 5-0, while the the Lions are only 4-1.
“We don’t know if we’ll have TJ or not yet. He had a great first day kind of back on the field in London, and then had a great day yesterday, so he’ll keep working.”
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell (KFAN)
Nobody has ruled out a return for T.J. Hockenson vs Detroit, on Sunday . But more likely, the former Lion will remain out one or two more games. The Vikings play on Thursday night football in week 8, meaning a short turnaround (October 20 and 24) between this game and next week’s contest vs the LA Rams.
Here’s what Darren “Doogie” Wolfson had to say about Hock’s situation on the Mackey & Judd show Thursday. Doogie believes it is playing two games in four days that has the Vikings nervous. Hockenson’s 21 day window is almost up so his return is imminent, either way. He must be activated to the 53-man roster by October 25th, otherwise be forced onto injured reserve for the entire season.
“Yes, I do wonder if T.J. Hockenson plays on Sunday. But, I’m thinking it’s more like October 24, that you’re not going to have him play two game sin the course of five days. So, make that move ahead of the Rams game, not the Lions game.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)
Is guard Dalton Risner 100% healthy? Ask him, we dare you…
Another player whose return is near: offensive guard Dalton Risner. The Minnesota Vikings activated Risner’s 21-day practice window on October 14th. Although there’s no clear return date, Risner must be activated to the 53-man roster by November 4th. This may seem like a ways out, but the Vikings do not have to wait that long, and he claims he is 100% healthy now.
Reporter : “Are you 100% healthy?”
Risner : “Yeah, 100%. Yeah, I was in camp and I had a little bit of a back injury so it took me longer than I wanted to, to get right. Great training room, great training staff, hats off to David Chancy, in the training room. He got me right. And just the Vikings organization, man. I feel 100% ready to roll. Help this team however I can.”
Reporter : “How long do you think it will take for you to get back into football shape?”
Risner : “I’m in football shape, man. I’m ready to roll. I’ve been ready. I’ve been healthy for… you know… this isn’t the first day I’ve been healthy. So, I’m ready to roll. I’m thankful to be out there practicing today, but I’ve been ready. I’m ready now. Whenever my name is called, I’ll be ready to roll.”
Minnesota Vikings’ guard Dalton Risner (Vikings.com)
In the full interview, Risner states he’s ready to roll from his prolonged back injury . Right guard, left guard, it doesn’t matter. He just wants to play football. With the way right guard Ed Ingram is playing , Risner’s likely chance at cracking the starting lineup is at its peak. He clearly feels that too.
Related: 4 Bold Predictions for Minnesota Vikings’ Week 7 Matchup vs Lions
Blake Cashman injury update should make Vikings fans nervous
On Tuesday’s Mackey & Judd episode , Darren Wolfson rang the alarm loudest on Blake Cashman’s injury. The Minnesota Vikings have one of the cheapest, deepest inside linebacker group in the NFL. Nonetheless, Blake Cashman has proven himself as the best of the bunch, and he wears the green dot. If he is out, a lot changes.
“To me, the biggest cause for concern isn’t necessarily [Aaron] Jones. It’s Blake Cashman. He was working off to the side, had a wrap on his lower, I believe, right leg. That’s always been the concern with Blake. Excellent player, but can he get through 17 games.”
Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)
Overall, the Minnesota Vikings’ are getting healthier. They also have a couple players who haven’t played a snap this season on the mend. We’ll know more as the week progresses for these three players. However, having them back would be massive in what will be a high-stakes showdown against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
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