The Minnesota Vikings have already had a rough week, trying to stave off a potential COVID-19 outbreak. With practices in short supply this week, the Vikings have had to get creative preparing for their upcoming opponent.
Sitting at 0-3, Minnesota faced several obstacles to overcome. Ultimately, their record suggests the Vikings have done a poor job so far. With injuries to key players still taking a toll on the team, the Vikings travel to NRG Stadium to take on the Houston Texans in Week 4.
Updated: Friday at 5:08pm EDT on October 2, 2020
Minnesota Vikings schedule
- Week 4: Minnesota at Houston
- Week 5: Minnesota at Seattle
- Week 6: Atlanta at Minnesota
- Week 7: Bye
Oli Udoh injury update
- Position: Offensive tackle
- Status: Will play
- Injury: Finger
- Team Impact: As a backup offensive tackle, Oli Udoh has only played two special teams snaps all year. Unless there is an injury to a tackle or two on Sunday, Udoh typically stays on the sideline. After being a limited participant in practice on Thursday, Udoh got a full practice on Friday. He’ll be healthy enough to play on Sunday.
- Fantasy Impact: None. If Udoh comes into the game due to injury, the Vikings are in trouble. The tackle tandem of Riley Reiff and Brian O’Neill have been Minnesota’s best offensive linemen in 2020. An injury to either would likely lead to Kirk Cousins getting pummeled more than usual.
Cameron Dantzler injury update
- Position: Cornerback
- Status: Will play
- Injury: Ribs
- Team Impact: The Vikings will be happy to have another corner available against the Texans after two starters were sidelined against the Tennessee Titans in Week 3. Dantzler is a talent the organization is very high on. A third-round pick in April, he was an immediate Week 1 starter. He has a lot to learn, but the 6-foot-2 frame suggests he has the physical tools necessary to make an impact at the NFL.
- Fantasy Impact: Even with DeAndre Hopkins out of town, the Texans still have plenty of firepower. With two rookie corners (Dantzler and Jeff Gladney) likely seeing heavy playing time, it will be interesting to see who the Texans target on Sunday. Expect more struggles from the young corners against Watson and his weapons.
Mike Hughes injury update
- Position: Cornerback
- Status: Out
- Injury: Neck
- Team Impact: Unfortunately, the Vikings will be without their first-round pick from 2018 on Sunday for the second week in a row. Grading in with a 54.4 PFF grade, Hughes hasn’t exactly had a good start to his season. However, according to PFF grading, he has still been the second-best Viking corner to date in this young NFL season. With Hughes ruled out, the Vikings will be turning to two rookies, in Gladney and Dantzler. Holton Hill will start at one of the corner spots, while Gladney likely fills the nickel back job and Dantzler at the starting position opposite of Hill.
- Fantasy Impact: With Hughes out of the game Sunday, the young Viking corners will have their work cut out for them. If the Texans turn their season around, a great place to start would be on Sunday against the Vikings.
Kris Boyd injury update
- Position: Cornerback
- Status: Doubtful
- Injury: Hamstring
- Team Impact: Last week, Kris Boyd drew the first start of his NFL career due to the Vikings being so short at the cornerback position because of injuries. It didn’t go well. He ended up only playing 51% of the snaps and receiving the worst grade from PFF among defensive backs on the field for the game. While Boyd’a absence would hurt Minnesota’s depth, it shouldn’t hurt its attempts to slow down the Texans’ offense.
- Fantasy Impact: None. Unless the Vikings are down multiple corners, Boyd typically hasn’t played many defensive snaps. Healthier at corner than last week, Boyd likely wouldn’t have seen much action in Week 4 on defense.
Minnesota Vikings injured reserve
- Anthony Barr: Suffered a torn pectoral injury in Week 2 of the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts. He will miss the rest of the season after being placed on injured reserve.