After watching their division title hopes come to a crushing end in Week 16, the Minnesota Vikings are reportedly considering sitting their starters for their upcoming contest against the Chicago Bears.
According to ESPN’s Courtney Cronin, Minnesota is leaving heaving towards treating Week 17 as a bye week and resting a majority of its starters. While a decision hasn’t been finalized, the move would allow multiple players to get healthy before the playoffs.
Minnesota is dealing with injuries on both sides of the ball. Star running back Dalvin Cook remains sidelined with a shoulder injury and backup running back Alexander Mattison missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Meanwhile, star linebacker Eric Kendricks has missed the first two days of practice this week after suffering a quadriceps injury that forced him out in Week 16 to the Green Bay Packers.
If the Vikings decide to rest their starters against Chicago with the No. 6 seed already guaranteed, it could also see quarterback Sean Mannion start with Kirk Cousins resting.