The Minnesota Vikings (10-2) had a big enough need at cornerback this summer that they brought in veteran Stephon Gilmore midway through training camp. The 34-year-old stepped in as an immediate starter and helped solidify that group alongside Bryon Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin.
Minnesota’s depth was tested in last week’s comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals. Gilmore went down with a hamstring injury after 35 snaps, and backup Fabian Moreau struggled in relief, giving up a touchdown and 100.8 passer rating on his five passing game targets, per PFF’s premium stats.
Old friend Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons (6-6) figure to test the Vikings’ pass defense on Sunday (1 p.m. EST, FOX). The Falcons will be looking to snap a three-game skid, and Cousins would love to pile it on against his former team in his return to U.S. Bank Stadium.
MORE: NFL picks, score predictions Week 14: Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons
Who’s in and who’s out for this key Week 14 matchup of NFC playoff hopefuls? Here’s a full team-by-team injury breakdown, with the latest news and updates off of Friday’s practice reports:
Vikings vs. Falcons: Full injury designations
Atlanta Falcons
Out
The sixth-round rookie will miss his second straight game due a knee injury. He’s been buried behind Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier all season, and hasn’t made much of an impact on special teams. McClellan has played just 19 offensive snaps in 2024.
Questionable
The Falcons should get their starting corner (and former Vikings first-round pick) back this week after he practiced in full all three days. He’s been out since Week 10, when he was injured early in Atlanta’s rival game at New Orleans. Prior to the injury, Hughes had started as an outside cornerback in each of the team’s last 10 games.
- DT Ruke Orhorhoro (ankle)
The rookie second-round pick out of Clemson could be activated off injured reserve in time for Sunday’s game, after upgrading to a full practice on Friday. Orhorhoro was in the defensive line rotation early in the season before suffering this injury in Week 8.
Minnesota Vikings
Out
- CB Stephon Gilmore (hamstring)
The Vikings will be down their top outside corner, after Gilmore came up lame during last week’s win over Arizona. The team is calling the injury a strain and are likely taking a cautious approach with the 34-year-old, as the team is locked into the NFC Playoff Picture at 10-2 (though, they haven’t officially clinched a spot yet). Veteran Fabian Moreau was the next man up on Sunday, and the Cardinals immediately tested him with five passing targets in 31 defensive snaps. Expect that to continue vs. Cousins and Co.
Questionable
Risner, who’s helped stabilize the right side of Minnesota’s offensive line since returning from injured reserve as the starter in Week 11, was a late addition to the injury report this week. His reps were capped on Thursday due to a back issue. This is one to monitor this weekend, as backup Ed Ingram was previously benched due to ongoing struggles.
- DL Harrison Phillips (back)
This injury designation is a bit concerning for Minnesota, because Phillips wasn’t listed on the injury report until Friday. He’s started every game for the Vikings this season. Undrafted rookie Jalen Redmond has mixed in with Minnesota’s interior defensive linemen and flashed against the Cardinals last week, notching a pair of run stuffs. He would be a candidate for extended looks if Phillips surprisingly can’t suit up.
Jones has been working through a knee issue for weeks, but this is his first time taking an injury designation into the weekend. That could signal added reps for first-round rookie Dallas Turner, whose usage has been on the rise in recent weeks.
- EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel (thigh)
Similar to Jones, this has been a multi-week issue for Van Ginkel. He played 65 snaps against Arizona last week. There doesn’t seem to be a ton of concern about his availability for Sunday, after he practiced in a limited capacity all three days.
The veteran specialist appears poised to be activated off injured reserve for Sunday’s game after practicing in full all week.
The VIkings are hoping to get their standout rookie kicker back after resumed practicing this week. Former XFL star John Parker Romo filled in well the past four games, going 11 for 12 on field goals and 7 for 8 on extra points.
Read the full article here
