The Vikings will have three players available — running back Aaron Jones, defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, and edge rusher Patrick Jones II — who were listed questionable for Sunday’s game against the Lions.
It’s unclear whether Jones, who has 517 yards from scrimmage in five games, will keep the same workhorse role while returning from a hamstring injury suffered during pregame warmups of the Oct. 6 win against the Jets. Jones had two limited practices this week after sitting out the only padded session on Wednesday.
Jones has amassed more than 60% of the backfield touches through five games despite missing three quarters of the Jets game. One sign that he’ll be just fine vs. the Lions: the Vikings deactivated running back Myles Gaskin, whom the team promoted last week after Jones’ injury.
The Vikings will roll with Ty Chandler and Cam Akers, who was reacquired via trade this week, behind Jones.
The two injured defenders, Phillips and Jones, practiced fully on Friday. Their availabilities are welcomed for a Vikings defense that will be without its leading tackler, Blake Cashman, due to turf toe. Cashman played through the issue against the Jets, but sources told the Star Tribune this week that the team is also considering holding him out of the next game on Thursday night against the Rams.
Many hands could help replace Cashman. Linebacker Kamu Grugier-Hill is expected to step into a bigger role, but safety Josh Metellus and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel are among others capable of aligning at inside linebacker. Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is expected to wear Cashman’s in-helmet speaker (or the “green dot” helmet) and relay defensive play calls.
The Vikings still elevated two defensive linemen, Bo Richter and Jalen Redmond, from the practice squad for depth in this game.
Tight end T.J. Hockenson and guard Dalton Risner were ruled out on Saturday; both remain on injured lists. Tight end Robert Tonyan was re-signed to the active roster and receiver Trishton Jackson was waived. Jackson is expected to re-sign with the practice squad.