The Vikings will be without several key players, including three on the offensive line.
MINNEAPOLIS — After already ruling out several key players, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they will also be without their starting right tackle on Thursday.
Brian O’Neill was questionable entering the game because of a heel injury, but with the short week, the team says the two-time Pro Bowler will be inactive for their Christmas Day showdown against the Detroit Lions.
O’Neill will be one of three starters on the offensive line missing after the team placed left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) on injured reserve.
Kelly suffered his third concussion of the season on Sunday against the New York Giants, and on Wednesday, was shut down for the remainder of the season. Justin Skule, Michael Jurgens and Blake Brandel are expected to start in place of Darrisaw, Kelly and O’Neill, respectively.
The Vikings (7-8) will also be without McCarthy (hand), tight end T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) and running back Jordan Mason (ankle).
Undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer will make his second career start following a rough outing against the Seattle Seahawks. The former University of Minnesota quarterback played the second half in New York after McCarthy left with the right hand injury, and completed 7 of 9 passes for 52 yards. He also led the Vikings on a 14-play scoring drive in the fourth quarter that lifted the Vikings to a 16-13 victory over the Giants.
Hockenson is third on the team in receptions (66), receiving yards (438) and receiving touchdowns (3), while Mason leads the team in rushing yards (664) and rushing touchdowns (6). Running back Ty Chandler, who has been sidelined since the season opener in Chicago, was activated from injured reserve on Tuesday, and will be another option in the backfield for Minnesota.
The Lions (8-7) will be without starting tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) as they look to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They will have receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee), who was recently named to his fourth Pro Bowl, running back David Montgomery (illness), cornerback Amik Robertson (hand) and defensive end Marcus Davenport (shoulder).
The Lions can’t win the NFC North, but they’ve still got hopes for the postseason; it’s just going to take a couple of wins and a little help along the way.
If Detroit can win out and the Green Bay Packers lose out, the Lions will be back in the playoffs. In this scenario, the Vikings would play the spoilers as they’ll meet the Packers in the final game of the regular season.