The 12-2 Minnesota Vikings currently sit in fifth place in the NFC Playoff Picture behind the 12-2 Detroit Lions for first place in the NFC North, the NFC, the first-round BYE, and home-field advantage for the postseason. To clinch the 1st seed, the Vikings must win out, and the Eagles lose at least one more game. They face the Seattle Seahawks on the road for Week 16, the Green Bay Packers at home for Week 17, and close against the Detroit Lions on the road for Week 18, the regular season finale.
The Minnesota Vikings star RT exited twice last night
Vikings’ star Pro Bowl right tackle Brian O’Neill suffered a knee injury in the first quarter after getting hit in the legs while blocking, and he limped off the field and went directly into the medical tent. O’Neill returned for the next offensive possession. He exited the game again, this time in the second quarter, and went to the locker room for further examination and tests at halftime. He missed the opening drive of the second half but returned for the next drive with a brace on his knee and finished the night playing 63 out of 77 offensive snaps.
The Vikings’ Pro Bowler avoided a significant injury
During their postgame press conference following their 30-12 victory over the Chicago Bears, Brian O’Neill told reporters that his knee was feeling “pretty good” but “sore.” Despite feeling soreness, his knee injury didn’t cause any significant structural damage. Here’s what he had to say about the subject matter:
“Pretty good. It’s probably going to be sore, but everything checked out okay, structurally good,” O’Neill said, via Adam Patrick of The Viking Age. “So, be ready to roll. I don’t think it’s going to be anything.”
What does his game status for Week 16 look like?
During Tuesday’s press conference, head coach Kevin O’Connell told the media that Brian O’Neill’s knee is feeling sore. However, he expects him to practice this week and play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. Here’s what the Coach of the Year candidate had to say:
“Obviously, we had Brian with the knee, return to the game. He’s sore, but should be able to work through the week, and have him available,” said O’Connell, via Tyler Forness of A to Z Sports.
