Injury situation trending good for Vikings, worse for Packers
The Vikings are trending in the right direction on the injury front ahead of Sunday's critical border battle against the Packers as starters Ezra Cleveland and tight end T.J. Hockenson continue to make progress.
Cleveland, the starting left guard who missed the 49ers game with a foot injury, was limited for a second straight practice on Thursday. If he's unable to start the Vikings seem to be in good hands with backup Dalton Risner, who was solid in his first start of the season on Monday night.
Hockenson is dealing with a foot injury as well. He was limited in Thursday's practice after being held out Wednesday. There's not much concern about him considering he said Wednesday that he'll be fine come Sunday's noon kickoff.
The Packers are in a less promising situation as tight end Luke Musgrave (ankle) edge rusher Preston Smith and cornerback Jaire Alexander (back) missed practice Thursday.
Alexander was limited Wednesday so the fact that he didn't practice Thursday is a bad sign for Green Bay's defense.
"Just day by day," head coach Matt LeFleur said when asked about Alexander's back injury. "I mean it's a back, so I really don't have a whole lot to say on that. I'm certainly not an expert on backs and I don't want to pretend to be."
The Packers may be without star cornerback Jaire Alexander on Sunday against Minnesota.
© Sarah Kloepping/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
They also had six other players who were limited on Thursday.
- LB De'Vondre Campbell (ankle)
- G Elgton Jenkins (knee)
- RB Aaron Jones (hamstring)
- C Josh Meyers (ankle)
- T Yosh Nijman (knee)
- DT Devonte Wyatt (knee)
Wide receiver Christian Watson was a full participant for a second straight day.
