Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 11

Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson is eligible to come off of injured reserve this week.

But as of Monday, it’s unclear whether or not Minnesota will open his 21-day practice window.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters during his press conference that the club is still working through the options with Jefferson. The story went on to quote him as saying: “We’re going to do what’s best for Justin, and make sure when he does return, he can be the Justin Jefferson we all know and can expect to see,” O’Connell said, via Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune. The good news for the Vikings and Jefferson fantasy owners is the team has climbed to 5-4 on the season, and with Joshua Dobbs at QB the team should continue to at least remain in the playoff hunt. That should mean the team will get Jefferson on the field again when the time is right.

Vikings running back Cam Akers will miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon.

That was believed to be the case as soon as Akers went down on Sunday, and it was confirmed by an MRI today, coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed today.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu

This is the second time Akers has torn his Achilles. He previously tore it in July of 2021 when he was with the Rams and made a remarkably quick recovery, getting back on the field for the final game of the regular season. But even if he can repeat that remarkably quick recovery this time, he won’t be at full speed until April, the story said. Akers was cutting into Mattison's time since getting up to speed after being traded. The RB2 job would seem to go back to Chandler, although the Vikings, sitting at 5-4, may very well bring in another back.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters after Sunday's win over the Falcons that running back Cam Akers suffered an Achilles injury.

Another such injury for Akers, who made a miraculous recovery two years ago from a July Achilles injury to return at the end of the season and participate in the playoffs. Akers was actually the emergency quarterback behind Josh Dobbs after the injury to starting quarterback Jaren Hall. Based on what we've seen from him and Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Akers should be good for the start of next season, but two Achilles tears is certainly a big concern going forward.

Per Sarah, "I don’t see QB Matthew Stafford (thumb) or RT Rob Havenstein (calf) during the portion of practice open to the media."

Related Players: Brett Rypien

Stafford is notorious for playing through injuries, but this one isn't trending in the right direction. If he misses Week 9, the entire offense takes a hit.

Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford, who has a UCL sprain in his right thumb, is not practicing today. The Rams play at Green Bay on Sunday.

Related Players: Brett Rypien

Stafford is notorious for playing through injuries, but this one isn't trending in the right direction. If he misses Week 9, the entire offense takes a hit.

The Vikings are trading for Cardinals QB Joshua Dobbs.

Related players: Jaren Hall, Nick Mullens

This trade suddenly makes a lot of sense since the Cards announced Monday they were going with a QB change in Week 9. Dobbs had started all year to this point for the Cardinals, and at the very least he's insurance for the Vikings. It's been reported Hall will get the start for the Vikings in Week 9, but look for Dobbs to perhaps get on the field in Week 10.

Rams QB Matthew Stafford is day to day with a UCL sprain, per coach Sean McVay.

Related players: Brett Rypien

Stafford's status for Week 9 is up in the air as of now, but overall it's pretty good news for the QB and his fantasy owners. It will likely come down to how Stafford is able to grip the ball and perhaps any pain that may be involved. Stafford is as tough as they come, so it may be an issue of how much zip he can put on the ball. If he can't go, Rypien would get the start. The Rams do play an early game at Green Bay in Week 9, but the team does have a Week 10 bye.

The expected news has come from the Vikings.

An MRI has confirmed that quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles on Sunday, Minnesota announced on Monday.

Related players: Jaren Hall, Sean Mannion, Nick Mullens

The team noted that the timeline and details of Cousins’ upcoming surgery will be determined this week. The Vikings have the rookie Hall on their active roster at quarterback and Mannion on the practice squad. Mullens is on injured reserve and has to miss at least one more game before a potential return. Suddenly sitting at 4-4, it's possible the Vikings bring in another QB.

The Rams are evaluating a range of potential scenarios with QB Matthew Stafford and his thumb injury, per source, and he’ll have further testing plus assessment on how he’s gripping the ball through the week.

Related players: Brett Rypien, Stetson Bennett

Rodrigue said the team is pretty much looking at everything, including possible colder conditions in Green Bay in Week 9 - as far as gripping the ball goes. The Rams also have a bye in Week 10. Rodrigue added the team is considering the short term, but the Rams are also not ruling out injured reserve at this point, as they are still gathering information that helps discern a larger timeline for Stafford. Rypien came on in relief of Stafford in Week 8 and could be the assumed starter if Stafford has to miss Week 9. The team drafted Bennett this past spring.

Rams QB Brett Rypien is now in against the Cowboys as Matthew Stafford remains in the locker room with a thumb injury.

It's a passing-hand thumb injury for Stafford, who was 13/22 for 162 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a two-point reception (we're not kidding). Maybe the Rams are just saving Stafford as Dallas has been in control all day long, taking a 36-17 lead to the fourth quarter.