Minnesota’s roster is depleted.
The Vikings have dealt with injuries to key starters such as DE Danielle Hunter and OL Mason Cole. The team also had to place RB Dalvin Cook in COVID-19 protocol recently. He is out for Sunday.
Despite that, the Vikings ruled just one player inactive for their game against the Rams on Sunday: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette. I guess when you have so many players on IR, you don’t need to worry about a lengthy inactive list.
Smith-Marsette had a touchdown reception against the Bears last week. He also serves as a kick returner. However, WR Adam Thielen is expected to play this week. And return man Kene Nwangwu is of course ready to go. That makes Smith-Marsette’s role less important for Week 16.
The Rams have QB Bryce Perkins, S JuJu Hughes, OLB Chris Garrett, OLB Terrell Lewis, RB Cam Akers as inactive for the game against the Vikings this week.