A Christmas Day clash awaits at U.S. Bank Stadium as the Minnesota Vikings host the Detroit Lions.
However, it will be unlike last season when both NFC North teams were in a heated race for the conference’s top seed deep into Week 18. Thursday's matchup is between a Minnesota team out of the playoff contention and Detroit clinging to slim hopes.
The Lions must win out and hope the Green Bay Packers lose their final two games against the Baltimore Ravens and Minnesota Vikings.
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The Vikings are playing their best football of late, winning three straight games after snapping a four-game skid.
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Minnesota will be without its starting quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. He is sidelined with a hairline fracture in his throwing hand, which he sustained in last week’s victory over the Giants. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer will step in and make his second start of the season.
Let’s look at the full list of inactives of both teams.
Minnesota Vikings inactives for Week 17
The Minnesota Vikings skipped full practices this week and instead conducted walk-throughs.
The team ruled out Ryan Kelly (concussion), T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), Jordan Mason (ankle) and J.J. McCarthy (right hand) on Wednesday.
Kelly’s season ended on Wednesday when the Vikings moved him to injured reserve following his third concussion of the campaign. Michael Jurgens is projected to handle starting center duties down the stretch.
Minnesota is also monitoring the status of Brian O’Neill, who remains questionable due to a heel issue.
Inactive Vikings for Week 17
- TE Gavin Bartholomew (back)
- TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder)
- QB J.J. McCarthy (hand)
- RB Jordan Mason (ankle)
- C Ryan Kelly (concussion)
- OT Christian Darrisaw (injured reserve)
- WR Rondale Moore (injured reserve)
- C Zeke Correll (injured reserve)
- OT Matt Nelson (injured reserve)
- CB Jeff Okudah (injured reserve)
- S Joshua Metellus (injured reserve)
- LB Jonathan Greenard (injured reserve)
Detroit Lions inactives for Week 17
The Detroit Lions head into Week 17 dealing with significant injury concerns, with 11 players listed as questionable and two ruled out.
The most notable name on the injury report is wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Although he finished Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he did not practice on Monday due to a knee issue. St. Brown returned in a limited capacity on Tuesday and Wednesday but was listed as questionable on Detroit’s final injury report.
Taylor Decker (shoulder), Trystan Colon (wrist), Marcus Davenport (shoulder), Tom Kennedy (abdomen), Christian Mahogany (fibula) and Alim McNeill (abdomen) are all questionable. Joining them are Al-Quadin Muhammad (knee), Amik Robertson (hand), David Montgomery (illness) and Khalil Dorsey (illness).
Detroit has ruled out Giovanni Manu (knee) and Avonte Maddox (back/illness). Maddox was unable to practice all week, leaving the Lions thin at safety. Daniel Thomas is expected to start alongside Thomas Harper in the defensive backfield.
Inactive Lions for Week 17
- OT Giovanni Manu (IR, knee)
- OT Colby Sorsdal (IR)
- TE Brock Wright (IR, neck)
- OT Jamarco Jones (IR, ankle)
- S Avonte Maddox (back)
- LB Zach Cunningham (IR, hamstring)
- DE Josh Paschal (back)
- DT Levi Onwuzurike (ACL)
- LB Ezekiel Turner (IR, foot)
- CB Terrion Arnold (IR, shoulder)
- S Brian Branch (IR, Achilles)
- S Kerby Joseph (IR, knee)
- CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (IR, shoulder)
- S Dan Jackson (IR, leg)
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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez

1 hour ago
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English (US)