The Minnesota Vikings will be without another starting offensive lineman and one of their best defensive players this week when they play the Detroit Lions this Sunday.
On Friday afternoon, the Vikings officially ruled starting left guard Alex Boone and middle linebacker Eric Kendricks out for Sunday’s contest. They both have concussions and were forced to sit out of practice all week, so neither of them will play.
Kendricks, a former second-round pick out of UCLA, played the entire game against the Bears this past week and he was expected to be fine. Then in an odd turn of events, he was placed in the concussion protocol and has not practiced all week. Chad Greenway took Kendricks’ spot next to Anthony Barr in practice, so that combination will likely fill in this week.
On the other hand Boone, who joined the Vikings this offseason when he signed a four-year, $26.8-million contract, has been dealing with shoulder and knee injuries in addition to the concussion. So it was ultimately unlikely for him to play even if he was able to pass all the concussion protocols.
On a positive note for the Vikings, they will likely get running back Jerick McKinnon back against the Lions. He’s been out with an ankle injury but managed to practice the past two days. He’s officially listed as questionable, but the running back expects to play.
The Vikings could certainly use McKinnon with Detroit coming to town. They currently have the NFL’s worst ranked rushing attack, so they need all the help they can get.
