Vikings to Get Patrick Peterson, Anthony Barr Back vs. Steelers — And Maybe Others
Reinforcements are coming for Mike Zimmer's defense ahead of a must-win game against the Steelers on Thursday night.
Top cornerback Patrick Peterson was activated off the Reserve/COVID list on Tuesday morning, so he'll be back in the secondary to help cover Pittsburgh receivers Diontae Johnson and Chase Claypool. Peterson missed three games on injured reserve, returned to play against the Packers and 49ers, then missed the Lions game because of a positive test.
Linebacker Anthony Barr is another. Barr — who was named the Vikings' Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee on Tuesday — has been in and out of the lineup with a knee injury this season, missing the first four games and then returning, only to sit out against the Cowboys and Lions. He said he missed last week's game because he tweaked his knee against the 49ers, but made it clear that he'll be back for Thursday Night Football.
"Yeah, I’ll be playing," he said.
There's also a possibility that Eric Kendricks could join those two in returning. The Vikings' star middle linebacker missed his first game of the season in Detroit with a biceps injury, and his absence was felt in the defeat. Kendricks has been back at practice this week, so we'll see if he can return too.
Update: Peterson, Barr, and Kendricks all practiced in full on Tuesday.
"It’s good to get all of the gang back," safety Xavier Woods said. "It’s a blessing to be able to have, at this point of the league, have most of all your guys back. It’s tough to have all 11 from start to finish, but to have the majority of your guys at this point and to be in the position we’re in to continue in the playoff push is a blessing.
Getting some key players back on offense feels a lot less likely. Adam Thielen has a high-ankle sprain, and although Zimmer doesn't think it's a season-ending injury, it would be a shock if he's able to play on Thursday. Thielen has yet to practice this week. Dalvin Cook also seems highly unlikely to play on a short week with his shoulder injury, and the same goes for Christian Darrisaw with his ankle. Anything is possible — and Cook was at least able to practice on Tuesday in a limited fashion — but any of those three playing would surprise me.
We'll learn more when the Vikings release their final injury report on Wednesday.
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