CHICAGO — Two Vikings defensive starters did not play while most of the other starters on offense and defense played only the first half of Sunday's 29-13 victory over the Bears to end the regular season.
Za'Darius Smith and Harrison Smith sit out while most other Vikings starters play one half vs. the Bears
Edge rusher Za'Darius Smith (personal matter) and safety Harrison Smith (knee soreness) are both expected to be ready for next week's playoff opener against the Giants.
January 9, 2023 at 4:48AM
Safety Harrison Smith was ruled out Saturday with "knee soreness" that he had after Friday's practice, coach Kevin O'Connell said. Edge rusher Za'Darius Smith did not play because of what the team called a personal matter. Smith, who had 10 sacks in the regular season, traveled separately from the team to Chicago after missing Friday's practice. He watched the game from the sideline; he was expected to take the team flight back.
O'Connell said both Harrison Smith and Za'Darius Smith, who has dealt with a knee injury for much of this season, will be ready for next week's playoff opener Sunday against the Giants. Za'Darius Smith wasn't going to play against the Bears "regardless of the circumstances," O'Connell added.
"He actually got back to Chicago [Saturday] night," O'Connell said, "and was here for our team meetings and everything."
Quarterback Nick Mullens relieved Kirk Cousins to start the second half, completing 11 of 13 passes for 116 yards with an interception. Receiver Justin Jefferson had four catches for 38 yards, ending his regular season with a league-leading 128 catches and 1,809 receiving yards, sixth most all time.
"My main goal was 1,800 [yards], coming off 1,600 last year," Jefferson said. "Of course I wanted to [exceed] that goal and get to 2,000, but that's just something for next year."
Running back Dalvin Cook was cut by a cleat in the first quarter and spent time in the medical tent to "stop the bleeding," he said. Cook returned and handled 12 touches for 37 yards before halftime.
Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, left guard Ezra Cleveland, tight end T.J. Hockenson and receiver Adam Thielen also did not play in the second half.
Cornerback Chandon Sullivan went down in the fourth quarter and was evaluated for an apparent leg injury. He could have returned to the game, O'Connell said. Cornerback Patrick Peterson, edge rusher Danielle Hunter, nose tackle Harrison Phillips, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and linebackers Eric Kendricks and Jordan Hicks did not play after halftime.
Linebacker Brian Asamoah (knee) and cornerback Cameron Dantzler (ankle) were inactive.
Supporting Hamlin
The NFL gave warmup shirts and helmet decals to all players for this weekend's games to honor Bills safety Damar Hamlin, whose condition has improved as he remains hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest in a game on Monday night.
Jefferson and Phillips, who played with Hamlin in Buffalo in 2021, wore custom-made shirts with images of Hamlin. Edge rusher Patrick Jones II, who played with Hamlin at the University of Pittsburgh, sacked Bears quarterback Nathan Peterman and pointed to his taped wrist where he'd written Hamlin's No. 3.
Jones said he spoke with Hamlin via FaceTime on Saturday.
"He told me to go out there and handle my business for him," Jones said. "It was just so good to see him."
Etc.
- Greg Joseph rebounded from an early miss — pushing an extra-point attempt wide right — and made four consecutive kicks to end the game, including field goals from 28 and 50 yards. Joseph, who is a free agent this spring, made 25 of 32 field goals (78%) and 40 of 46 extra points (87%) this season.
- Tight end Irv Smith Jr. returned and started alongside Hockenson for the first time since an Oct. 30 high ankle sprain. Smith had an 8-yard catch in the first half. He split time with tight end Johnny Mundt with the second-string offense.
- Former Eden Prairie linebacker Ryan Connelly was elevated from the practice squad and played in his first game since a December 2021 knee injury.
Mike Conley was in Minneapolis, where he sounded the Gjallarhorn at the Vikings game, on Sunday during the robbery.
