Due to a knee injury, Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will miss the Lions game.
With the top cornerback for the Vikings sidelined, 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 sustained the knee injury, 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 offence, 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 major game this week, I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
On Friday, O’Neill, Mattison, and Phillips had their first practice and were not very active. Despite having a back issue, 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 comeback 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 because 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 need to observe his reaction to the task on 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 of the Lions is rated as doubtful to play due to a shoulder injury.
