MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEWS

Brian O'Neill - May have significant injury O'Neill (calf) won't play Sunday against the Bears, according to head coach Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Chris Tomasson reports.

Impact O'Neill's injury, which was suffered in Sunday's loss to the Packers, was called "significant" by O'Connell. With a playoff spot secured, his absence Sunday in Chicago may not matter much, but any potential missed time in the playoffs could. When O'Neill exited Week 17, Oli Udoh took over at right tackle, and he'd be the likely candidate to start there Week 18.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Adam Thielen - Just one catch in blowout loss Thielen had one reception for 16 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss at Green Bay.

Impact Thielen's role in the offense has declined the past three games while T.J. Hockenson's grows larger. Thielen has just five receptions and 15 targets his last three games, while Hockenson has 37 targets. Neither player may get many targets this week against Chicago as Minnesota may decide to rest or even bench their starters ahead of the playoffs.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Alexander Mattison - Gets more work in blowout loss Mattison had eight carries for 38 yards and had one reception for seven yards in Sunday's loss at Green Bay.

Impact Mattison played 23 snaps on offense as he got more work once the game became a blowout. He could get significant time or even start Week 18 against the Bears if the Vikings decide to rest starters head of the playoffs.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nick Mullens - Throws TD late in blowout loss Mullens completed all four pass attempts for 57 yards and touchdown without an interception in Sunday's defeat at Green Bay. He took over in the fourth quarter amid a blowout loss.

Impact Mullens was playing in garbage time but still looked sharp with the backup offense. He could get significant time or even start Week 18 against the Bears if the Vikings decide to rest starters head of the playoffs.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Nailor - Catches long TD in garbage time Nailor had three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss at Green Bay.

Impact Nailor played nine snaps on offense, but almost all of them came late in the game when the Vikings were resting their starters amid a blowout loss (including his 47-yard touchdown), so don't read too much into his performance. However, he could become a focus of the passing game Week 18 if the Vikings bench their starters early in the game or rest them completely ahead of the playoffs.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Chiefs, 49ers lead the pack in Bucky Brooks' top 10 NFL teams

The Chiefs and 49ers climbed into the top-two spots, while the Giants entered this week's rankings after clinching a playoff berth.

JANUARY 2, 2023

Greg Joseph - Struggles versus Packers Joseph went 1-for-3 on field-goal attempts while making both of his PAT tries in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.

Impact Joseph made an easy 21-yard field goal early in the first quarter before missing attempts from 46 yards and 50 yards respectively later in the first half. The missed field goals were his first since Week 8, entering Sunday's contest having gone 13-for-13 over the last eight games, including a 61-yard game winner in Week 16 against the Giants. Joseph has had an up-and-down season, converting 23 out of 30 field-goal tries while also missing five extra-point attempts. The kicker will look to get back on track in the Vikings' regular season finale in Week 18 as the team travels to face the Bears.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Analysis: NFC is wide open heading into final weekend of NFL

Tom Brady again was at his best when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed him most

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

T.J. Hockenson - Seven grabs in Sunday's loss Hockenson caught seven of 12 targets for 59 yards in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.

Impact The tight end tied K.J. Osborn for the team lead in receptions on a day when the Vikings offense mostly struggled and didn't score its first touchdown until well into the fourth quarter. Hockenson has caught at least three passes in every game since being traded to Minnesota and is just 102 receiving yards short of his first career 1,000-yard campaign, but with the team having nothing to play for in Week 18 except playoff seeding, he may not see a full workload against the Bears.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

K.J. Osborn - Scores garbage-time TD Osborn caught all seven of his targets for 59 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.

Impact Both Minnesota touchdowns came in the fourth quarter with the game long out of reach, and Osborn caught his from Nick Mullens rather than Kirk Cousins as the team began to sit its stars. The Vikings won't have much to play for in Week 18 other than playoff seeding, so Mullens could get the start against the Bears, but Osborn at least will likely remain involved no matter who is under center.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Jefferson - Just one catch Sunday Jefferson caught one of five targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.

Impact It was a brutal showing for Jefferson, one that likely cost him a chance to break Calvin Johnson's NFL record for receiving yards in a season, but the whole Vikings offense struggled after losing two offensive linemen to injuries early in the game. The team might prioritize the health of its stars in a relatively meaningless regular-season finale, so Jefferson may not see much of the field in Week 18 against the Bears.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dalvin Cook - Stifled by Green Bay Cook carried the ball nine times for 27 yards and caught two of three targets for 17 yards in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers.

Impact The Vikings lost two offensive linemen to injuries early in the game, absences which contributed to Cook failing to get anything going on the ground. It was his worst performance since Week 2 against the Eagles, and with Minnesota having nothing but playoff seeding on the line in Week 18's matchup with the Bears, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Cook get some extra rest and cede touches to Alexander Mattison.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kirk Cousins - Three picks in Sunday's loss Cousins completed 18 of 31 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Packers. He added 37 rushing yards on three carries.

Impact It was a rough day for the entire Vikings offense at Lambeau Field, as Cousins lost two offensive linemen to injury during the game and had little time or space in which to operate. He was replaced by Nick Mullens late in the rout, as the Vikings prioritized keeping Cousins healthy ahead of the playoffs, and with nothing but seeding to play for in Week 18 against the Bears, it wouldn't be surprising if Mullens got the start.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Eagles, Vikings stall; Giants clinch playoff spot; QBs on the rebound: 3 up, 3 down

The NFC playoff picture got more clarity Sunday, with the Giants securing a berth. Meanwhile, the Eagles and Vikings are showing flaws.

JANUARY 2, 2023

NFL Week 17 highlights: Steelers win on SNF, Saints upset Eagles, Bucs, Packers win

Week 17 of the NFL season continues Sunday — and we've got you covered from start to finish. Here are the top plays!

JANUARY 2, 2023

Never, ever count Aaron Rodgers out

At 4-8, the Packers' playoff hopes appeared lost. But Aaron Rodgers has willed Green Bay to four straight wins, with a potential postseason...

JANUARY 2, 2023

Outscored on the season, Vikings have plenty of doubters

This isn’t how the NFC North champion Minnesota Vikings hoped to perform as they get ready for the playoffs

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Austin Schlottmann - Has fibula fracture Schlottman sustained a broken fibula during Sunday's loss at Green Bay, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Schlottman was carted off the field in the first quarter and eventually was ruled out with what was termed an ankle injury at the time. With some clarity surrounding its severity, he seems destined to miss Week 18 and likely time beyond that. The Vikings have a question mark at center, as regular starter Garrett Bradbury (back) has missed the past four games.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rodgers, Packers rout Vikings 41-17, control playoff fate

Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass and ran for a score, and the Green Bay Packers continued their improbable playoff push by shutting down Justin Jefferson and the Minnesota Viki...

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brian Asamoah II - Hurts knee Sunday Asamoah suffered a knee injury during Sunday's game at Green Bay.

Impact Asamoah visibly limped off the field after Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' touchdown run in the fourth quarter. With a health concern confirmed, Asamoah likely will end Week 17 with five tackles.

JANUARY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Brian O'Neill - Will not return O'Neill has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Packers due to a calf injury.

Impact O'Neill's absence will certainly be a blow to the Vikings offensive line, which is already dealing with multiple injuries. Including Austin Schlottmann (ankle), who has already been forced out and was starting at center for Garrett Bradbury (back), who was inactive. Oli Udoh will now take over at right tackle.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Austin Schlottmann - Forced out versus Green Bay Schlottmann has been ruled out for the remainder of Sundays' game against the Packers with an ankle injury.

Impact Schlottman started at center in place of center Garrett Bradbury (back) in Week 17, but the backup offensive lineman was quickly deemed out after being carted to the locker room early in the first quarter, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. As a result, Kyle Hinton will now likely step in at center for the remainder of Sunday's contest.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ty Chandler - Healthy scratch Sunday Chandler (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Packers.

Impact Chandler was activated from IR on Wednesday, but it was also the end of his 21-day practice window, so he also may not be fully ready to compete. The rookie running back suffered a broken thumb in Week 5 and has not played since. He'll try to earn the chance to suit up Week 18 against the Bears.

JANUARY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE