The Minnesota Vikings have had their share of major injuries this season, including to star receiver Justin Jefferson and quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Injuries continue to mount as Minnesota tries to stay in the playoff picture.
Coach Kevin O’Connell announced Tuesday that tight end T.J. Hockenson and linebacker D.J. Wonnum will miss the rest of the season.
Hockenson sustained tears to the MCL and ACL in his knee after a defender dived at his knees on a tackle in Sunday’s 30-24 loss to Detroit. Wonnum tore his quadriceps on a non-contact injury.
“Crushed for both of those guys. Two of our most impactful players, leaders on our team,” O’Connell said. “Two guys that will be difficult to overcome their loss.”
Losing Hockenson and Wonnum will make that task more difficult. O’Connell said both players will be put on injured reserve.
Hockenson leads the team with 95 catches and 960 receiving yards this season to go with five touchdowns. Wonnum is second on the team with eight sacks. He has 15 quarterback hits and seven tackles for loss.
Minnesota won the NFC North last season while avoiding major injuries to key players.
“It’s been different,” O’Connell said. “You can say ‘next man up’ all you want. You can talk about that mentality. We do kind of live by that mentality because we like to prepare all of our guys. … We may lose some of our more impactful players and we’ve got to try and continue to go out there and play to win football games. And that’s what this really whole year’s kind of been about.”
WHAT’S WORKING
In his third game back from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two months, Jefferson had six catches for 141 yards and a touchdown to lead an explosive group of receivers. Including Hockenson, Minnesota had six players with at least a 23-yard reception on Sunday.
The Vikings averaged 18.7 yards per reception as a team with K.J. Osborn adding five catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.
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