There have been a number of significant injuries for the Vikings this season.
As if this season hasn’t already been defined by injuries, the Vikings lost more key players in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
It started with rookie receiver Jordan Addison, continued with tight end T.J. Hockenson, and ended with pass rusher D.J. Wonnum all going down. Asked about the injuries postgame, head coach Kevin O’Connell did not sound optimistic.
Though it’s unclear if Addison or Hockenson will be available when the Vikings host the Green Bay Packers next weekend on New Year’s Eve, O’Connell made it sound like Wonnum won’t be able to play. That makes sense considering Wonnum had to be carted off the field.
There have been a number of significant injuries for the Vikings this season, with franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins suffering a torn Achilles tendon, star receiver Justin Jefferson missing a month due to a hamstring injury and pass rusher Marcus Davenport missing time with a high ankle sprain.
That has made things pretty tough on the Vikings this season, and it was much of the same against the Lions when Addison, Hockenson and Wonnum went down.
“It takes a lot to continue to persevere and push through,” O’Connell said. “I thought the guys tried to do that throughout the football game.”
Evans seemingly benched midgame
There was a particular play late in the game during which Vikings cornerback Jaylin Williams was flagged for illegal contact. It seemed almost unfathomable that Williams was on the field for the Vikings in such a crucial moment after only recently being called up from the practice squad.
Asked why Williams was, in fact, on the field, O’Connell responded, “I believe at that point Akayleb Evans was out of football game.” Asked if it was because Evans was being benched, O’Connell responded, “I believe he was taken out of the football game.”
It’s worth noting that the Vikings did not announce an injury for Evans, so it seems as if he was taken out of the game due to his performance.
Was it roughing the passer?
With the Lions needing 26 yards to gain a first down early in the game, quarterback Jared Goff dropped back to pass, then hit tight end Sam LaPorta for a minimal gain.
It appeared the Vikings were on the verge of forcing a punt. The only issue? In an attempt to pressure Goff, pass rusher Patrick Jones II was called for roughing the passer.
It looked like a questionable call in hindsight with Jones not making much content with Goff while forcing him to get rid of the ball. Asked if he got an explanation or why it was called, O’Connell replied, “I did not.”
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