MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEWS

Dalvin Cook - Limited success in loss Cook rushed 15 times for 23 yards and a touchdown and secured one of two targets for 13 yards in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday. He also lost a fumble.

Impact Cook appeared to be on his way to a productive day when he capped off a 10-play, 75-yard march late in the first quarter with a one-yard touchdown rush, but the rest of his afternoon, which included a lost fumble deep in Lions territory near the end of the first half, was a study in frustration. Cook found running room at a premium against a quietly improving Lions rush defense, leaving him with his second-lowest yardage tally of the season. The talented back will aim to make up for the lackluster day and get into the end zone for a third straight game in a Saturday afternoon home matchup versus the Colts in Week 15.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Justin Jefferson - Jaw-dropping numbers in loss Jefferson secured 11 of 15 targets for 223 yards in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Impact Jefferson comfortably led the Vikings in receptions, receiving yards and targets on the afternoon, with the fact Minnesota had to go pass-heavy as the game went on naturally benefitting the star receiver. Jefferson logged a team-long 47-yard catch along the way, and he's now just grab away from his second straight 100-yard reception campaign. Jefferson's first opportunity to build on his season-best yardage tally comes in a Saturday afternoon home matchup against the Colts in Week 15.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Blake Brandel - Headed for MRI Brandel suffered a knee injury late in Sunday's loss to the Lions and will need an MRI, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press report...

Impact Brandel started the game at left tackle in place of Christian Darrisaw (concussion). The MRI results should shed a better light on his potential availably for Saturday against the Colts. If he is unable to play 15, Darrisaw, who has already cleared concussion protocols, should be ready to reclaim his starting left tackle job.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jordan Hicks - Set to undergo MRI Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said that Hicks will undergo an MRI after he was forced out with a toe injury during Sunday's 34-23 loss to the Lions, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul...

Impact Hicks was deemed questionable to return coming out of halftime, though he was ultimately able to come back in and record five tackles and one pass defended during the second half. However, the 30-year-old said postgame that he actually injured the bottom of his foot and that he "feels fine right now," according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Either way, this impending MRI should provide more clarity on his health heading into the Vikings' Week 15 contest against Indianapolis on Saturday. Hicks recorded 97 tackles, three sacks and eight passes defended while playing the vast majority of defensive snaps heading into Week 14, so his absence would be a significant loss for Minnesota's defense.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Kirk Cousins - Racks up numbers in loss Cousins completed 31 of 41 passes for 425 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Vikings' 34-23 loss to the Lions on Sunday.

Impact While his numbers are largely the result of the Vikings trailing from the second quarter on, fantasy managers will naturally take the season-high yardage total and seventh multi-touchdown effort of the campaign. Cousins most frequently connected with Justin Jefferson as customary, with the star receiver bringing in 11 of his completions for 223 yards. Despite the disappointing loss, the Vikings are 10-3 and still in the driver's seat for the NFC North crown, and Cousins will aim to get them quickly back in the win column during a Saturday afternoon Week 15 home matchup versus the Colts.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Goff helps surging Lions beat division-leading Vikings 34-23

Jared Goff threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, leading the surging Detroit Lions to a 34-23 win over the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jordan Hicks - Questionable to return Sunday Hicks is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Lions with a toe injury.

Impact Hicks logged three tackles during the first half, though his availability to return to begin the third quarter is up in the air. In his stead, either Troy Dye or Brian Asamoah will likely step up into a bigger role alongside Eric Kendricks.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Harrison Smith - Won't play Sunday Smith (neck) is inactive Sunday against the Lions.

Impact It was reported Saturday by Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune that Smith was not expected to start Sunday in Detroit. However, it's now clear he won't be playing at all, and Josh Metellus will likely handle all the snaps at strong safety.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Darrisaw - Sitting out Sunday Darrisaw (concussion) is inactive Sunday against the Lions.

Impact Darrisaw has cleared concussion protocols, but the team is taking a cautious approach and keeping him out for Sunday's game in Detroit. He'll work to be ready Week 15 against the Colts, while Blake Brandel should draw the start at left tackle against the Lions.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Garrett Bradbury - Out Sunday Bradbury (back) is inactive Sunday against the Lions.

Impact Bradbury was able to practice in limited fashion throughout the week, but he is still ailing enough to not take the field Sunday. In his place, Austin Schlottmann will likely start at center.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ross Blacklock - Won't play Sunday Blacklock (coach's decision) is inactive Sunday against the Lions.

Impact Blacklock missed Week 13 against the Jets due to an illness, but he did return to the practice field this week, while also shedding his injury designation. In his absence, James Lynch and Esezi Otomewo will likely be in line for increased opportunity.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Josh Metellus - Will start Week 14 Metellus will start Sunday's matchup against the Lions in the absence of Harrison Smith (neck), Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Metellus will draw his second start of the season in the absence of Smith. Last time he operated as a starter (Week 3 against Detroit), Metellus recorded 11 tackles (10 solo), two pass defenses and one interception while playing every single defensive snap.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Darrisaw - On track to sit out Week 14 Darrisaw (concussion), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, isn't expected to play, Jordan Schultz of TheScore.com reports.

Impact According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Friday that Darrisaw cleared the NFL's five-step concussion protocol, but Minnesota apparently isn't yet comfortable having the 2021 first-round pick make his return to the field. Assuming Darrisaw winds up on the inactive list ahead of the 1 p.m. ET kickoff, the Vikings are expected to turn to Blake Brandel to step in as their starting left tackle.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Harrison Smith - Not in line to start Sunday Smith (neck) isn't expected to start Sunday's contest at Detroit, Ben Gossling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Impact Listed as questionable for Week 14 action due to a neck injury, Smith at the very least is in line to yield his starting spot at strong safety to Josh Metellus, but whether or not he's active won't become known until 90 minutes before Sunday's 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff. Considering Smith has racked up 73 tackles and five interceptions in 11 appearances this season, the potential for him to have no guaranteed snaps Sunday may force managers in IDP leagues to look elsewhere for a replacement.

DECEMBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Panthers, Cardinals headline Cowherd's Week 14 Blazin' 5

Colin Cowherd makes his NFL picks for Week 14 in his latest "Blazin' 5."

DECEMBER 11, 2022

Jonathan Bullard - Going to IR Minnesota placed Bullard (biceps) on its injured reserve list Saturday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Bullard sustained a biceps injury during the Vikings' win versus the Jets in Week 13, and he'll now be forced to miss at least the next four games as he recovers. James Lynch should see an expanded role on the defensive line in Bullard's absence.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cameron Dantzler Sr. - Available for Week 14 Minnesota activated Dantzler (ankle) from its injured reserve list Saturday ahead of Sunday's game at the Lions, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact After missing the Vikings' last four games with an ankle injury he sustained in Week 9 at Washington, Dantzler appears poised to play in Week 14. He should give the Vikings a boost on the boundaries opposite Detroit's DJ Chark and Jameson Williams.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Christian Darrisaw - Clears protocol, questionable Darrisaw (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions, Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

Impact Darrisaw has cleared the concussion protocol and practiced in full Friday. That's a positive sign for his availability Sunday, though the Vikings may opt to take a cautious approach. If Darrisaw is unable to suit up, Blake Brandel will likely start at left tackle.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Garrett Bradbury - Dealing with back injury Bradbury (back) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Impact Bradbury practiced in limited fashion throughout the week, which makes his status a bit murky heading into Sunday's game. If he is unable to suit up, Austin Schlottmann will likely serve as Minnesota's starting center.

DECEMBER 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Danielle Hunter - Good to go for Week 14 Hunter doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's matchup against the Lions, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Impact Hunter returned to practice Friday as a full participant after missing back-to-back sessions to begin Week 14 prep due to an illness. The veteran pass rusher has yet to miss a game this season, totaling 48 tackles, seven sacks and three pass defenses across 12 appearances.

DECEMBER 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

NFL odds Week 14: Best bets for Vikings-Lions, Ravens-Steelers

Read which teams gambling analyst Sam Panayotovich likes to cover in Week 14 of the NFL season.

DECEMBER 9, 2022