Playing on short rest is never good for teams with a laundry list of injured players, and that’s the case for both the Vikings and Rams as they get set for a key NFC showdown in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
Key injuries for the Vikings:
- Dalvin Cook, RB, questionable (hamstring)
- Riley Reiff, LT, questionable (foot)
- Tom Johnson, DT, questionable (ankle)
- Anthony Harris, SS, questionable (hamstring)
- Marcus Sherels, DB/PR, out (ribs)
- Everson Griffen, DE, out (not injury related)
Cook is on record saying he’s taking the hamstring injury day by day. It kept him out last Sunday against the Bills and he’s been limited in practice this week. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Vikings are optimistic Cook will be able to play.
Reiff hurt his foot against the Bills and finally returned to practice in a limited role on Wednesday when the team practiced at a high school in L.A.
The good news for Minnesota is that center Pat Elflein will start for the first time this season. He played 22 snaps against Buffalo – his first action since undergoing offseason ankle and shoulder surgeries.
Key injuries for the Rams:
- Aqib Talib, CB, out (high ankle sprain)
- Marcus Peters, CB, questionable (calf)
- Mark Barron, LB, doubtful (ankle)
- Dominique Easley, DE, knee (questionable)
Schefter reports that Peters is likely out, meaning the Rams will have to face Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen without their top two cornerbacks.
They’re also likely without Barron, a starting inside linebacker in their 3-4 base defense.
The Rams have allowed an NFL best 12 points per game through three weeks, but being down three starters should weaken their ability considerably.
