Due to a knee injury, Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will miss the Lions game.
With the top cornerback for the Vikings out, rookie Mekhi Blackmon is expected to play a larger role. In addition, six other regular contributors are doubtful for Sunday’s game against Detroit.
Due to a knee injury, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will miss his first game as a starter for the Vikings on Sunday against the Lions. On Friday, after missing practice the entire week, he was declared out.
Six other regular contributors were also listed by the injury-plagued Vikings as questionable: linebacker Jordan Hicks (shin), running back Alexander Mattison (ankle), defensive tackles Harrison Phillips (back) and Jonathan Bullard (ankle), and right tackle Brian O’Neill (ankle). Additionally out due to a concussion is receiver Jalen Nailor.
On Friday, Murphy—who leads the team with three interceptions—walked through the locker room with a noticeable limp. He said he played 69 of the 70 snaps against the Bengals when he injured his knee, but he would not elaborate.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell stated, “I think it was early on, and that just goes to show you how tough he is.” Fought through, through it, through it. There are moments when you look at that player and, despite the injury report, you expect him to be playing.
Mekhi Blackmon, a rookie cornerback selected in the third round, may play a bigger role in his third NFL start. As a spot starter and part-time player, he has already participated in 39% of the defensive snaps. The Lions’ explosive offense, which averages 253.5 passing yards per week, is ranked fourth.
It has been enlightening, according to Blackmon. “This is the NFL, so you never really know what to expect. With this being a big game this week, I’m really looking forward to it.”
On Friday, O’Neill, Mattison, and Phillips had their first practice and were not very active. Despite having a back injury, Phillips played against the Bengals. Ankle sprains have kept O’Neill and Mattison out of action since the victory in Las Vegas on December 10.
When asked about O’Neill’s chances of playing on Sunday, O’Connell sounded pessimistic. David Quessenberry, a right tackle, might make his third start of the season.
“On Friday, he received some team reps,” O’Connell remarked of O’Neill. “It’s an incredibly important game, but we got to make sure … we’re looking out for what’s in the best interest of the player and making sure we’re trying to have these guys available much more than just this weekend.”
The Vikings’ linebacker corps might be complete once more. Hicks made a successful return to practice this week after having leg surgery on November 12 and was “flying around,” according to O’Connell. The outstanding rookie Pace needed to be limited on Friday due to “shoulder soreness,” according to the coach.
O’Connell stated, “He simply didn’t receive his entire allotment of reps.” “Relax about I.P.’s current situation. I have to see his reaction to the work [Friday].
Four players were sidelined by the Lions: tight end Brock Wright (hip), cornerback Jerry Jacobs (hamstring), safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (pectoral), and fullback Jason Cabinda (knee). Derrick Barnes, a linebacker for the Lions, is doubtful to play due to a shoulder injury.
“Completing games”
Lately, the sixth-ranked scoring defense of the Vikings has shown weaknesses when it comes to clock management. Defense coordinator Brian Flores has focused on them because they have given up game-ending touchdowns in close games against the Bengals, Bears, and Broncos.
“Especially in that end-of-game, two-minute, four-minute [defense], we got to do a better job finishing games,” Flores stated. I really accept personal responsibility for that. I was able to better coach it. I had the opportunity to better position our guys. We need to improve our finishing, and our guys play hard.
Nearing his first season of 1,000 yards, Hockenson
Tight end T.J. Hockenson, who has played in five NFL seasons, can record his first 1,000-yard season on Sunday if he gains 98 receiving yards against his old team. However, Hockenson stated that he cannot concentrate on that while it is taking place. Despite missing two games due to injury, he leads the Vikings with 91 receptions, 902 receiving yards, and two broken ribs.
“You kind of look at that stuff after the season and [you’re] able to recollect,” Hockenson stated. Kirk Cousins has made references to that. All you want to do is enter each season as a reliable player. You wish you could be that guy every Sunday. I’m not too concerned about numbers and other stuff at the moment.”
