Inside The Vikings

Vikings' First Injury Report vs. Chargers: DNPs For Bradbury, Davenport

Four other players were limited for the Vikings during Wednesday's practice.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings' First Injury Report vs. Chargers: DNPs For Bradbury, Davenport
Vikings' First Injury Report vs. Chargers: DNPs For Bradbury, Davenport

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Minnesota Vikings

Vikings center Garrett Bradbury (back) and outside linebacker Marcus Davenport (ankle) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, according to the team's first injury report of the week.

Four players were limited: LT Christian Darrisaw (ankle), LB Jordan Hicks (shin), S Josh Metellus (shoulder), and WR Jalen Nailor (hamstring). Everyone on the injury report, with the exception of Nailor, is a starter.

There's still time for Bradbury or Davenport to return to practice on Thursday or Friday, but their status is in serious question ahead of Sunday's must-win game against the Chargers. 

Bradbury has been out since leaving the Vikings' season opener against the Buccaneers with a back injury after just six snaps. The team hasn't placed him on injured reserve, which would mean missing at least four games, and head coach Kevin O'Connell said they're hoping to avoid making that move.

"I’m hoping not," O'Connell said last Friday. "We’ve got some positive early on news on Garrett. We’ll see how he handles some treatment over the weekend and see what his practice participation can look like next week. I would say that it’s a real possibility for Garrett to have a chance to go next week, but all that will be determined based on what Tyler (Williams), Uriah (Myrie), his staff and the doctors think as far as what’s best for Garrett."

Austin Schlottmann has been the Vikings' center since Bradbury went down.

Davenport injured his ankle in practice before Week 1 and missed that game, then played just four snaps against the Eagles before sitting out the remainder of that contest. Injuries were a major issue for him during his five years with the Saints.

Darrisaw, Hicks, Metellus, and Nailor receiving limited designations on Wednesday is good news. The Vikings very much need Darrisaw on Sunday against Chargers edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. He attempted to play in Philadelphia last Thursday but aggravated his ankle injury during warmups. If Darrisaw can't go, David Quessenberry is the new swing tackle with Oli Udoh out for the year.

"I think CD is coming along really well," O'Connell said on Wednesday. "We’ll try to get him a little bit of work today and see how he feels tomorrow, but with both of those guys (Darrisaw and Bradbury), we want them feeling as close to 100% when they get back out there as we possibly can."

O'Connell is confident that Hicks and Metellus — who left the Eagles game briefly but were able to return — will be good to go this weekend. No word on Nailor, who has been impressive as a gunner on special teams.

For the Chargers, RB Austin Ekeler and ex-Vikings LB Eric Kendricks did not practice on Wednesday. Both players missed Sunday's game against the Titans.

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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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