Inside The Vikings

Danielle Hunter Upgraded on Thursday, But Vikings' Injury Report Remains Long

Hunter is on track to play despite dealing with an illness this week.
Will Ragatz|
Danielle Hunter Upgraded on Thursday, But Vikings' Injury Report Remains Long
Danielle Hunter Upgraded on Thursday, But Vikings' Injury Report Remains Long

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Minnesota Vikings

Here's the good news for the Vikings on the injury front: Danielle Hunter (illness) was upgraded from an estimated DNP on Wednesday to limited participation on Thursday, putting him on track to play on Sunday against the Lions. Also, Jordan Hicks (shin) was a full participant for the second consecutive day.

Here's the bad news: It continues to look like the Vikings could be without three key starters for the big Christmas Eve showdown with Detroit. RT Brian O'Neill (ankle), CB Byron Murphy Jr. (hamstring), and DT Harrison Phillips (back) were all absent at Thursday's practice, as were RB Alexander Mattison (ankle) and WR Jalen Nailor (concussion).

If any of those players are going to play this weekend or at least go in with a questionable tag, they probably need to get in a limited session on Friday. We'll see if that happens.

If O'Neill can't go, it'll be David Quessenberry again at right tackle. He was solid enough in Cincinnati. Ty Chandler will almost certainly be the Vikings' lead running back even if Mattison is able to suit up.

Defensively, both Murphy and Phillips would be massive losses if they can't play. Murphy is the Vikings' top corner, and rookie Mekhi Blackmon would be thrust into the starting lineup in a tough matchup if Murphy is out. Andrew Booth Jr. would also potentially be in line for some snaps. Phillips has been having an underrated, excellent season as the lynchpin of the Vikings' run defense, and Minnesota would be leaning on guys like Jonathan Bullard, Sheldon Day, Khyris Tonga, and Jaquelin Roy if Phillips is out.

Bullard and Day, by the way, remained limited with ankle injuries on Thursday. The Vikings may need to elevate T.J. Smith from the practice squad for additional depth at defensive tackle.

The Lions, meanwhile, are much healthier than the Vikings. Check back on Friday for the final injury report of the week.

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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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