Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 26

Viking put RB Alexander Mattison and WR Dan Chisena on COVID-19 reserve list, guard Kyle Hinton on practice squad COVID-19 list and LB Ryan Connelly goes to IR.

Related players: Dalvin Cook, Wayne Gallman, Kene Nwangwu, C.J. Ham

The Viking claimed RB Gallman off waivers in another move. Gallman likely at least slides in behind Cook and Nwangwu. Cook was dominant last week coming back from a shoulder injury but has dealt with his share of injuries this year and in his career, so his handcuff any given week is always worth noting.

The Lions are “hopeful” to get T.J. Hockenson and D’Andre Swift back, and Dan Campbell says they felt better today, but they’re still day-to-day.

Related players: Jamaal Williams, Jermar Jefferson, Godwin Igwebuike, Craig Reynolds

Hockenson is dealing with a hand issue and Swift a shoulder injury. The Lions aren't likely to push either player to return with another lost season at hand. If Swift can't go and Williams is still out, it could be another combo of Jefferson, Igwebuike, and Reynolds at running back. The team said Jefferson didn't get much time because he was out of practice with a sickness leading up to the game. It's possible he would get more work in Week 15, which would really complicate the RB workload.

Matt Rhule said Sam Darnold could be a factor down the stretch but not now.

Related players: Cam Newton, P.J. Walker

Rhule said Newton and Walker will continue to divide reps. However, Darnold is still a few weeks away according to the tweet. With three weeks left in the season, that doesn't leave a ton of time for Darnold to get back into the picture. The Panthers don't seem to have any answer at the QB spot right now.

Vikings WR Adam Thielen (ankle) will not play Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) is questionable.

Related Players: Justin Jefferson, K.J. Osborn, Alexander Mattison, Kene Nwangwu, Tyler Conklin

The short week was going to keep Thielen out. While Obsorn is expected to start in Thielen's place, do not be surprised if Tyler Conklin gets more run.

49ers WR Deebo Samuel (groin) and RB Trey Sermon (ankle) will not play Week 13 at Seattle.

Related Players: Trenton Cannon, Jeff Wilson, Jauan Jennings, Trent Sherfield

Nothing changes from their expected statuses earlier this week.

Sam Darnold is closing in on the short end of that recovery window and Matt Rhule said that he has resumed throwing on the side. The Panthers have a bye this week and Rhule said they’ll evaluate Darnold once they’re back from the time off.

Related players: Cam Newton, P.J. Walker

“We’ll get him back next week, see where he’s at in his process and go from there,” Rhule said, via Joseph Person of TheAthletic.com, from the story. As we posted earlier, the Panthers have committed to starting Newton against the Falcons in Week 14 and Newton hopes to have a fuller grasp of the offense for that outing. If that doesn’t happen, Darnold could find his way back into consideration as the Panthers start to look toward the quarterback decisions they’ll have to make before the 2022 season, according to the story.