Kevin O’Connell Gave Updates on the Other Minnesota Vikings Injuries Too

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Jordan Addison
Credit: Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (3) does a Lambeau Leap with Vikings fans Craig Lindsay, Nick Johnson and Chris Gangl against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Vikings won the game, 24-10.

If there is something that Minnesota Vikings fans have gotten used to it’s heartbreak. That hasn’t been the case this season though, and given the expectations, it has provided a wild ride. After another victory on Sunday, it appears that the injury situation is starting to turn a bit more promising as well.

Minnesota Vikings injured stars are getting closer

The biggest fear from Sunday’s obliteration of the Houston Texans was the status of Sam Darnold’s knee. The Vikings appear to have dodged a bullet in that regard, and he won’t miss any time. The even better news is that teammates Jordan Addison, Ivan Pace Jr., and Dallas Turner are also all trending upwards.

Kevin O’Connell hasn’t been able to scheme offensive plays for Addison since the first week of the season. His second wide receiver suffered an ankle injury on a hip drop tackle by the New York Giants. Jalen Nailor has been tasked with filling in for him during the absence.

Last week Ivan Pace Jr. was a surprise inactive. It seemed daunting that Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud would face a Vikings defense without one of its best players. Blake Cashman stepped up though, and the unit picked off the second-year player. Pace Jr. has been a bright spot for Minnesota since signing as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft.

It would have been fair to worry about the missing presence of Dallas Turner had the Vikings pass rush not been so dominant the first two weeks. Brian Flores has seen his defense bring down the opposing quarterback with ease, and it happened again Sunday. Both Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard recorded sacks while Jalen Redmond got on the board as well. Turner will be a welcomed addition back when he is ready to go.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Give Sam Darnold Injury Update

At this point in the week there is no designation as to whether any of the three non-Darnold players will be on the field Sunday. It certainly appears that Kevin O’Connell sees each as trending positively however.

Full health heightens the fun for Packers matchup

The Minnesota Vikings are headed to Green Bay for a date with the Packers in Week 4. Sam Darnold will be under center and is ready to go. The knee scare from Week 3 will be behind him, and Kevin O’Connell gets to work with his starting quarterback once again. The ability to activate Addison, Pace Jr., and Turner as well would be huge.

Minnesota appears to be trending in a positive direction from a health perspective, and so too are the Green Bay Packers. Jordan Love has missed the past two weeks for Matt LaFleur, but should be ready to go against Minnesota. That makes the test a bit tougher for Brian Flores, but he’d certainly love to beat the opponent at their best.

Last season the Vikings went into Green Bay and came away victorious. Love hadn’t yet taken the steps forward that earned him a contract extension. When he beat Minnesota at U.S. Bank Stadium, it came with the caveat that the Vikings season was over amidst quarterback issues.

Related:Is Jordan Love Going to Play vs Minnesota Vikings?

Both Minnesota and Green Bay being ready to go on Sunday should provide another measuring stick for O’Connell’s team the rest of the way.

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