Tag: vikings injury news

Vikings lose key defensive starter ahead of battle vs. Cardinals

The Vikings placed a starting linebacker on injured reserve ahead of their game against the Cardinals in Week 13.

The Arizona Cardinals will face the Minnesota Vikings this coming Sunday in Week 13. Minnesota’s defense, fifth in the league in points allowed at 17.9 points per game and No. 1 in rush defense allowing 74.7 yards per game, will be without a key defensive starter.

Linebacker Ivan Pace, who suffered a hamstring injury in the first quarter of the Vikings’ 30-27 overtime win over the Chicago Bears, was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday. He will miss the game against the Cardinals and at least three more games.

Pace has 59 tackles, three sacks, six tackles for loss and six quarterback hits on the season, having played in nine games.

After Pace’s injury, Blake Cashman moved over to replace him and the Vikings used Kamu Grugier-Hill in the other linebacker spot.

They signed former Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis on Tuesday. He could see playing time on Sunday.

The Cardinals and Vikings kick off Sunday at 1 p.m. ET (11 a.m. Arizona time) from U.S. Bank Stadium.

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Vikings WR Adam Thielen questionable Saturday vs. 49ers

The Vikings might be without one of their star wide receivers in their divisional playoff vs. the 49ers.

One of the toughest challenges the Vikings present on offense is their wide receiver duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. Defending that pair is a nigh impossible task, but the 49ers may have caught a break.

Thielen suffered a cut on his ankle during Wednesday’s practice that required stitches. He was limited Wednesday and Thursday, and is officially ‘questionable’ for Saturday on the injury report.

It’s hard to imagine a player as tough as Thielen would miss a divisional playoff game due to a laceration. The six games he missed earlier this season with a hamstring injury were the first missed games of his career. However, a cut that’s been sewn shut may be difficult to move on. That’ll be something worth watching if Thielen does play, since his short-area quickness and ability to get separation in tight spaces make him an elite receiver.

Thielen and Diggs combined for 93 catches, 1,548 yards and 12 touchdowns despite the fact Thielen battled injuries and played only 10 games. Last season they both caught over 100 passes for over 1,000 yards and pulled down nine touchdowns each.

If Thielen is hobbled at all, he becomes a much more manageable problem for the 49ers’ defense.

Here is Minnesota’s full injury report for Saturday:

Out

CB Mackensie Alexander (knee)

Doubtful

S Jayron Kearse (toe, knee)

Questionable

WR Adam Thielen (ankle)