UPDATE: Panthers’ running back Christian McCaffrey did not travel with the Panthers from Charlotte to Minneapolis and has officially been ruled OUT for Sunday.
Original story follows.
We’ve gotten the final injury reports for both the Carolina Panthers and the Minnesota Vikings as we get closer to Sunday’s contest at U.S. Bank Stadium between the two teams. Let’s take a look at what both teams have put out there, starting with the visiting team.
Carolina Panthers Week 12 Injury Report
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Sunday Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Sunday Status |
Dennis Daley | G | Concussion | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Donte Jackson | CB | Toe | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Sam Franklin | S | Ankle | FP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Marquis Haynes | DE | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | Questionable |
Christian McCaffrey | RB | Shoulder | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
John Miller | G | Knee/Ankle | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Russell Okung | OT | Calf | LP | LP | LP | Questionable |
Tahir Whitehead | LB | Rib | FP | FP | FP | Questionable |
Brandon Zylstra | WR | Shoulder | -- | FP | FP | Questionable |
Alex Armah | FB | Ankle | FP | FP | FP | -- |
Teddy Bridgewater | QB | Knee | FP | FP | FP | -- |
D.J. Moore | WR | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | -- |
Quite a few players listed as “questionable” for the Panthers. Star running back Christian McCaffrey is the biggest name of that group, but the buzz seems to be that the team is pessimistic about whether or not he’ll be able to go on Sunday. That would, obviously, be a help to Minnesota’s defense. Not a lot of other earth-shattering news for the Panthers on their injury report.
Now, on to the home team.
Minnesota Vikings Week 12 Injury Report
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Sunday Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Position | Injury | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Sunday Status |
Jordan Brailford | DE | Non-Injury | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Ezra Cleveland | OL | Ankle | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
Irv Smith Jr. | TE | Groin/Back | LP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
Brian O'Neill | OT | Shoulder | FP | FP | FP | -- |
Ifeadi Odenigbo | DE | Shoulder/Concussion | DNP | LP | FP | -- |
Dru Samia | G | Non-Injury | DNP | LP | FP | -- |
Harrison Smith | S | Neck | DNP | LP | FP | -- |
The bad news is that Ezra Cleveland is going to miss his second straight game with what is being termed as a high ankle sprain. Coming off of a solid performance against Dallas, Brett Jones will likely start at right guard again on Sunday. It doesn’t look like Irv Smith Jr. is going to be able to go on Sunday, either.
On the bright side, Harrison Smith did not receive an injury designation after missing the week’s first practice with a neck issue, so he’ll be available for Sunday’s officiating crew to throw BS “roughing” flags at should they feel the need.
Those are the final injury reports for the Vikings and the Panthers going into Sunday’s contest. We’ll have more on this one as we get closer to kickoff.