Inside The Vikings

Final Vikings-Lions injury report: Jones, Hockenson, three others questionable

There's still plenty of uncertainty on the Vikings' final injury report.
Will Ragatz|
Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) stretches during warmups prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field.
Sep 29, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) stretches during warmups prior to the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

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Five Vikings players are listed as questionable on the team's final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Lions: RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), TE T.J. Hockenson (knee), G Dalton Risner (back), DT Harrison Phillips (shoulder), and OLB Pat Jones II (shoulder). Hockenson and Risner are still on injured reserve, so a roster move would need to be made if they're going to be active for the game.

LB Blake Cashman (toe) and backup CB Akayleb Evans (hip) have been ruled out. Cashman's absence, which was expected earlier this week, means Ivan Pace Jr. will take over green dot duties and a full-time role in the defense. Kamu Grugier-Hill will step into the No. 2 LB role and see plenty of snaps.

Jones is apparently on the good side of questionable, as NFL Network's Ian Rapaport reported earlier on Friday that he's "likely" to play against the Lions. O'Connell said Jones had "two really good days of work" on Thursday and Friday. Barring a setback this weekend, it seems like there's a good chance the Vikings will have their star running back available. If he can't play, Ty Chandler and Cam Akers would be next in line for playing time.

Hockenson, meanwhile, seems to be on the more doubtful side of a questionable designation. He's feeling good but is still acclimating to football and isn't expected to play this week.

As for Phillips and Jones, who are key players in the Vikings' defensive front, the fact that they practiced on Thursday and Friday is a good sign. Risner is in a similar boat to Hockenson; he has said that he feels good but there's still a ramp-up period as he gets ready to come off of IR. Anything it possible, but the assumption is that Ed Ingram will get at least one more start at right guard this weekend before the Vikings discuss potentially replacing him with Risner.

For the Lions, RG Kevin Zeitler (groin) and CB Carlton Davis (quad) are questionable, with Zeitler seemingly having a lesser chance to play out of the two.

Inactives will be announced at 10:30 a.m. CT on Sunday morning ahead of the 12 p.m. kickoff.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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