Kyle Rudolph, Jerick McKinnon Injury Updates
Minnesota Vikings standout tight end Kyle Rudolph has been out since Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints with a groin injury, but he’s always been expected to return this week. Week 11 always made plenty of sense as Rudolph’s return date, because not only are the Vikings facing the rival Chicago Bears, who look destined for last place in the division after being a potential candidate to win it, but Rudolph is also able to return following the bye week.
While Mike Zimmer and the Vikings haven’t given any hints about Rudolph’s status, most of us saw through the coy behavior and viewed Rudolph as a near-lock to play this week. You can upgrade that feeling, as the Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s Matt Vensel reports that the TE was a full participant at practice today. All doubts about his ability to play this week should be gone, though the Vikings will likely continue to play injury games with us and the Bears.
Although the news on Rudolph is good, the Vikings most talented running back has been added to the injury report, as Vensel reports that rising rookie Jerick McKinnon was limited at practice today with a lower back injury. His status needs to be monitored closely, since mid-week downgrades need to be taken seriously. That said, it doesn’t seem like this is an overly serious issue, and McKinnon also has the added benefit of facing a plus matchup (you can say that again) versus the Bears run D.