During Sunday’s 30-24 defeat to Detroit, the Minnesota Vikings faced further setbacks, losing key offensive players in tight end T.J. Hockenson and receiver Jordan Addison. Addison, a rookie, suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter during an interception return by Lions safety Kerby Joseph. In the third quarter, Hockenson injured his knee during a catch, leading to his immediate exclusion from the game after being assessed in the medical tent.
Compounding their challenges, the Vikings were already without quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles tendon) and right tackle Brian O’Neill (ankle), with Cousins having been sidelined since October 29. The defensive unit also suffered, with edge rusher D.J. Wonnum sustaining a quadriceps injury in the fourth quarter, necessitating his removal to the locker room on a cart. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder) was injured in the third quarter while filling in for the inactive Byron Murphy (knee).
The defeat to the Lions pushed the Vikings (7-8) below the NFC playoff cutoff, marking their fourth loss in five games. Notably, Hockenson and Addison, who have been instrumental as top receivers, will undergo further evaluation this week. Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed confidence in the team’s resilience, acknowledging their determination to overcome the challenges posed by injuries as they prepare for upcoming games.
Addison, a rookie, hurt his ankle during an interception return by Lions safety Kerby Joseph in the second quarter. Hockenson hurt his knee on a third-quarter catch when Joseph dove toward his legs. Hockenson went to the medical tent and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
The Vikings were already playing without quarterback Kirk Cousins (Achilles tendon) and right tackle Brian O’Neill (ankle). Cousins was injured on Oct. 29. O’Neill missed his second straight game.
The defense took a hit against the Lions, too, with a quadriceps injury for edge rusher D.J. Wonnum that sent him to the locker room on a cart early in the fourth quarter. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon (shoulder) was hurt in the third quarter after starting in place of Byron Murphy (knee), who was inactive.
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The Vikings (7-8) fell below the cut in the NFC for the playoffs with their fourth loss in five games. Hockenson (95 catches, 960 yards, five touchdowns) and Addison (63 catches, 826 yards, nine touchdowns) have been their top two receivers in a season that saw 2022 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson (hamstring) miss seven games. Wonnum is second on the team with eight sacks.
Addison, Hockenson and Wonnum will all be further evaluated this week.
“These guys continue to battle, continue to work,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “I can tell by the look in their eyes they’re ready to go back to work and figure out where we have to overcome possibly some injury adversity.”
