Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers Injury Report
Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Perry (53) knocks the football away from Detroit Lions quarterback
Matthew Stafford(9) during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers won 22-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will square off tonight on Sunday Night Football, as the falling Vikings will look to spring an upset against the Packers, who are still the kings of the NFC North. Christian Ponder will get the start for the Vikings with Josh Freeman out with a concussion, but their biggest concern is trying to slow down Aaron Rodgers; the Vikings secondary is a major weakness. Below are the injury reports for both teams, along with some key notes.
Minnesota Vikings
Out
QB Josh Freeman (concussion)- It would be sad if Ponder isn’t a significant upgrade over what Freeman has done this year. Hopefully one QB on the Vikings can step up, and my money is actually on Ponder right now. Freeman’s arm fits the skills of his WRs better, but Ponder simply looks like the better QB right now.
WR Rodney Smith (hip)
TE Rhett Ellison (ankle)
RB Matt Asiata (shoulder)
Questionable
DT Fred Evans (knee)
S Jamarca Sanford (ankle)
Probable
DT Sharrif Floyd (back)
RB Adrian Peterson (hamstring)- He’s not 100% as far as health goes, but he’s 100% as far as chances of playing go. His numbers aren’t as staggering as they are last year, but he’s still playing at an incredibly high level; it’s just that the blocking up front hasn’t been nearly as good as it was last year.
LB Chad Greenway (wrist)
CB A.J. Jefferson (ankle)
K Blair Walsh (left hamstring)
LT Matt Kalil (back)
DT Kevin Williams (knee)
DE Jared Allen (ankle)
Green Bay Packers
Out
TE Jermichael Finley (neck)- Don’t expect him to return this season.
OLB Clay Matthews (thumb)
TE Ryan Taylor (knee)
Doubtful
WR James Jones (knee)- He has actually been downgraded from last week, as he was “only” listed questionable for last week’s game against the Cleveland Browns. Jones was never expected to play this week, but hopefully he is ready for next week’s contest.
Questionable
OLB Nick Perry (foot)- He played extremely well before injuring his foot against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6, and it was reportedly a broken foot. Either he never broke the foot in the first place or it was an extremely minor break, because Perry was able to return to practice on Friday. He has a shot at playing today, so we’ll see what the injury tea leaves hold for the rising linebacker.
LB Brad Jones (hamstring)
Probable
CB Casey Hayward (hamstring)- He was always expected to make his return this week, and it’s definitely great to see him get back on the field.
CB Jarrett Bush (hamstring)
S Jerron McMillan (not injury related)
RB James Starks (knee)- It was fun being the No. 2 running back while it lasted, right Johnathan Franklin?
You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter for more NFL updates and analysis @SorianoJoe. Be sure to like us on Facebook here and follow our site on Twitter as well.