Injuries will indeed play a role when the Vikings meet the Eagles Thursday night in Philadelphia as Minnesota will be down at least one starting offensive lineman.
Garrett Bradbury has been ruled out with a back injury. He was injured during the first quarter of Minnesota’s loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday. That means Austin Schlottmann will get the start at center against the Eagles.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is questionable with an ankle injury. He tweaked his ankle against the Buccaneers but stayed in the game. The Vikings listed him as a “limited” practice participant this week. If he can’t go, the expectation is that Oli Udoh would start in his place.
Outside linebacker Marcus Davenport also has an ankle injury and is listed as questionable. He was also “limited” in practice each day this week and did not play in the opener against the Bucs. If he’s out, D.J. Wonnum would likely get his second start start at outside linebacker.
The Eagles have yet to release an official injury report, but according to Philadelphia Inquirer insider Jeff McClane, star cornerback James Bradberry is in concussion protocol and is unlikely to play, and safety Reed Blankenship and running back Kenny Gainwell are “trending toward not being ready.”
Nick Sirianni declined to address #Eagles’ injures, but S Reed Blankenship (ribs) and RB Kenny Gainwell (ribs) trending toward not being ready from what I’m hearing.
CB James Bradberry still in protocol. DT Fletcher Cox (ribs) should be ready.
Report released this afternoon.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) September 13, 2023
Bradberry and Blankenship are significant losses for Philly’s secondary, which is a leg up for Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and the Vikings’ passing attack. Of course, that only matters if Kirk Cousins has time to throw, which could be a problem against Philly’s vaunted defensive line.
