3 Vikings Defenders Sit out of Tuesday’s Practice

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. (3) reacts late during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

With the Vikings playing on Saturday rather than a typical Sunday, the team released its first injury report on Tuesday. It’s worth noting that this practice was a walk-thru rather than full-fledged session, so this injury report is an estimation. Even still, 7 Vikings were listed on the first Week 15 report, including 3 Vikings defenders who were listed as DNPs. Here’s the full list:

  • C Garrett Bradbury- Limited (back)
  • LT Blake Brandel- DNP (knee)
  • CB Cam Dantzler- DNP (illness)
  • LB Jordan Hicks- DNP (ankle)
  • DL James Lynch- Limited (shoulder)
  • DL Harrison Phillips- DNP (back)
  • S Harrison Smith- Limited (neck)

Of course, Brandel’s absence comes as no surprise after suffering an MCL tear on Sunday in Detroit. However, there’s a very notable absence from this list: left tackle Christian Darrisaw. After missing three consecutive games with a concussion, the Vikings star left tackle officially appears ready to make his return to the field this weekend.

In other news from this report, the anonymous illness that struck last week seems to be hanging around on Tuesday. CB Cam Dantzler, who came in and out of Sunday’s game, sat this practice out with an illness. It’s not confirmed that it is the same illness that held five players out of practice last week, but it seems like a logical conclusion. If it is, the starting CB should be ready to come back for this week’s game.

The State of the Vikings: Week 14
Oct 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. (3) comes off the field after the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

On the other side, it’s a relatively quiet injury report for the Indianapolis Colts. Only three players appear on Tuesday’s report for the Colts. The full list is as follows:

  • CB Brandon Facyson- DNP (illness)
  • CB Kenny Moore II- DNP (ankle)
  • T Braden Smith- Full (illness)

Only one of the Colts players appears on this list with an actual injury as the mystery illness appears to have struck in Indianapolis as well. Both CB Brandon Facyson and OT Braden Smith have the illness, but Smith was still able to practice in full.

Meanwhile, CB Kenny Moore II sat out Tuesday’s practice with an ankle injury. Moore missed Week 13’s game against the Dallas Cowboys due to a shin injury that he suffered in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Prior to that, he had started each of Indy’s first 12 games, recording 4 pass defenses.

Each team still has two injury reports to release as the week progresses. This will shed more light on players’ statuses prior to Saturday’s kickoff between the Vikings at Colts at 12 PM CST on December 17th.

Questions Answered: Garrett Bradbury, KOC Back to Basics, Donatell and the Future

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.