The Minnesota Vikings face an uphill climb as they prepare for their Wild Card round matchup with the New Orleans Saints. The team announced that cornerback Mackensie Alexander is out with a knee injury, and has placed nickel back Mike Hughes on injured reserve with a neck injury after downgrading him in practice on Thursday.
The Vikings are facing a Saints offense that has arguably the most dangerous pass catcher in the NFL. Drew Brees will be looking for Michael Thomas regularly on Sunday, and as this season has shown, he’ll likely connect with him extensively regardless of how much coverage Minnesota throws in his direction.
The Saints are an eight-point favorite against the Vikings, and the DraftKings Sportsbook betting split has been heavily in favor of New Orleans. It’s been an up and down season at times, but they’re in fairly good health at this point and the offense is clicking on all cylinders. The point total currently sits at 49.5, and the betting public loves the over.
Vikings injury report
Final injury report
Out: CB Mackensie Alexander (knee), CB Mike Hughes (neck)
Questionable: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring)
Wednesday practice participation report
DNP: CB Mackensie Alexander (knee), LB Eric Kendricks (quadricep), S Andrew Sendejo (illness), DE Stephen Weatherly (illness)
Limited: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring)
Full: RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), CB Mike Hughes (neck), S Jayron Kearse (foot), RB Alexander Mattison (ankle), CB Xavier Rhodes (ankle), DT Shamar Stephen (knee)
Thursday practice participation report
DNP: CB Mackensie Alexander (knee), S Andrew Sendejo (illness), DE Stephen Weatherly (illness)
Limited: CB Mike Hughes (neck), LB Eric Kendricks (quadricep), DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring)
Full: RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), S Jayron Kearse (foot), RB Alexander Mattison (ankle), CB Xavier Rhodes (ankle), DT Shamar Stephen (knee)
Friday practice participation report
DNP: CB Mackensie Alexander (knee), CB Mike Hughes (neck)
Limited: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (hamstring)
Full: RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder), S Jayron Kearse (foot), LB Eric Kendricks (quadricep), RB Alexander Mattison (ankle), CB Xavier Rhodes (ankle), S Andrew Sendejo (illness), DT Shamar Stephen (knee), DE Stephen Weatherly (illness)
Saints injury report
Final injury report
Out: CB Eli Apple (ankle), RB Zach Line (knee)
Wednesday practice participation report
DNP: CB Eli Apple (ankle), RB Zach Line (knee)
Limited: S Vonn Bell (knee), WR Michael Thomas (hand), RB Dwayne Washington (knee), WR Marcus Williams (groin)
Thursday practice participation report
DNP: CB Eli Apple (ankle), RB Zach Line (knee)
Full: S Vonn Bell (knee), WR Michael Thomas (hand), RB Dwayne Washington (knee), WR Marcus Williams (groin)
Friday practice participation report
DNP: CB Eli Apple (ankle), RB Zach Line (knee)