The $92 million Vikings starter is out before…

admin | December 15, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

The Minnesota Vikings offense will find it difficult to recover from a near-shutout loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14.

The Vikings confirmed on Thursday that starting running back Alexander Mattison and Pro Bowl left tackle Brian O’Neill will be out for Saturday’s primetime game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

O’Neill, a crucial member of the Vikings offensive line, is the team’s second-highest paid player, currently on a five-year, $92.5 million contract. Mattison agreed to a two-year, $7 million contract to take over as the starting running back this season. Both players suffered ankle injuries in a 3-0 win over the Raiders on Sunday.

Jalen Nailor, a wide receiver, is still in concussion protocol and has been ruled out, while Justin Jefferson (chest) and backup guard Chris Reed (sickness) are both questionable.

According to NFL.com, Minnesota (7-6) currently has the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs and has a 72% chance of entering the postseason. The Vikings will face a Bengals squad that is also 7-6 and competing for an AFC Wild Card position.

Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Says He Will Play vs. Bengals

Despite being categorized as questionable, Jefferson informed local reporters that he will play on Saturday after his return from a seven-week spell on injured reserve was cut short last week.

In the second quarter in Las Vegas, Jefferson leaped for a ball and was knocked out of the game by Raiders safety Marcus Epps. Jefferson was transported to a nearby hospital for internal testing to ensure he could return home with the team. Jefferson escaped more serious harm by flying home.

On Saturday, he’ll make his official debut in front of former LSU running back and Bengals standout Ja’Marr Chase.

Chase addressed the game on Saturday, saying that interaction with Jefferson has been restricted leading up to this week’s game because both teams are fighting for a playoff berth in the final four weeks of the season.

“We’re not going to talk besides me checking on him,” Chase told ESPN on December 14.

Chase has kept his game face throughout the week when reporters have asked about his bond with Jefferson — and despite claiming to be the superior receiver, he gave Jefferson his roses.

“He’s so fast and explosive.” When you see the movie, he makes it appear so effortless. We can probably perform the same move, but he just has that look in his routes that makes defenders fly because he’s twitchier and more explosive at times,” Chase said in a locker room interview.

Vikings-Bengals Will Be a Battle of Backup QBs

After losing their starting quarterbacks in the middle of the season, the Vikings and Bengals are in comparable positions.

Minnesota has fared well despite losing Kirk Cousins to an Achilles injury on October 29, going 3-2 since then. Meanwhile, Cincinnati placed Joe Burrow on injured reserve on November 24 due to a wrist injury and has since gone 2-1.

The Bengals are coming off back-to-back 34-point victories, led by former Vikings backup Jake Browning. Browning has completed 79.3% of his pass attempts for 856 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 113.4 quarterback rating in three starts this season.

After benching Josh Dobbs in Week 14, the Vikings are still looking for solutions at quarterback.Nick Mullens was selected the starter for Saturday’s game, becoming Minnesota’s fourth starting quarterback this season. Mullens has a 5-12 career starting record, throwing 65.4% of his passes for 27 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

Browning lost his spot as Cousins’ backup to Sean Mannion and was released in September 2021, which led to his arrival in Cincinnati.