Vikings and Browns Release Final Week 5 Injury Reports
The Minnesota Vikings are set to wrap up their two-week European swing with a game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday . The two will square off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. That happens to be the same venue Minnesota knocked off the New York Jets a season ago .
Unlike last year though, the Vikings are walking wounded and their injury reports have continued to grow on a weekly basis. With the final practice of the week behind them, the status of multiple key players has been revealed for Week 5.
Three backup linemen for Minnesota Vikings
The key storyline this week for the Vikings has been the state of their offensive line. Ryan Kelly suffered another concussion last week, and Brian O’Neill sprained his MCL . Now it’s official, we’ll see three backups on the starting line Sunday.
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Beyond just Kelly, backup center Michael Jurgens is out with a hamstring injury. That means Blake Brandel will start at center for the first time in his career. It will be interesting to see how that works out, but it’s something that Minnesota has been preparing for all week .
Carson Wentz will start behind a line that goes Christian Darrisaw, Joe Huber, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, and Justin Skule from left to right. That’s certainly not ideal and something Minnesota will need to make work.
The depth behind the starting group is virtually non-existent. That may mean recently signed tackle Matt Waletzko could be elevated from the practice squad. Vershon Lee and Henry Byrd are also options there.
Also of note is the non-existence of J.J. McCarthy practicing at all this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted he could run the scout team on Thursday and Friday. Ultimately he didn’t either day, and that suggests his ankle isn’t as far along as one would hope.
Minnesota has a Week 6 bye, and McCarthy returning for Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles has always been the target. Now it remains to be seen if that will actually play out.
Andrew Van Ginkel, who has been dealing with a neck injury , will miss his third game through just five weeks of the season.
Browns may miss key starters vs MN Vikings
It’s not just the Minnesota Vikings that could be down a couple of key starters on both sides of the ball this week. Cleveland Browns head coach noted that his team could face similar challenges.
Starting cornerback Greg Newsome was added to the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant. It sounds like his injury could be something stemming from Cleveland’s last game, and became bothersome as the week went on.
Starting right tackle Jack Conklin is also going to be listed as questionable. He has an elbow injury that has kept him out since Week 1, and his practice sessions were just limited this week.
Cleveland is nowhere near as banged up as Minnesota is, but down a tackle and corner, there would be additional opportunity for the Vikings to exploit their opponent.
The two teams kick off on Sunday at 8:30 am central time .
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