While the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings head into their Sunday night matchup with a genuine pursuit of a playoff berth and/or division title, both teams are dealing with adversity at the moment.
For the Colts, not only did last week’s loss to the Houston Texans stop a run of four wins in five games but it also put the Colts two full games behind the Texans in the AFC South.
It also led to a change at the quarterback position, as it was announced that veteran Joe Flacco would be replacing former first-round pick Anthony Richardson as the starter for Week 9.
Meanwhile, the Vikings’ surprising 5-0 start to the season has been wiped away by losses in each of the last two weeks, including Week 8’s disappointing 30-20 defeat to the then-two-win Los Angeles Rams. Minnesota also lost starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season to an injury, leaving the Vikings scrambling to find protection for quarterback Sam Darnold.
Through it all, both teams are very much in the playoff picture, making Sunday night’s matchup important for each team.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings Inactives
Indianapolis Colts designated as out:
- DE Genard Avery
- QB Sam Ehlinger
- DT Adam Gotsis
- WR Anthony Gould
- OT Bernhard Raimann
Minnesota Vikings designated as out:
- LB Blake Cashman
- CB Akayleb Evans
- C Dan Feeney
- CB Dwight McGlothern
- OT Walter Rouse
- QB Brett Rypien
Latest Injury Report News and Update
Along with the change at quarterback for the Colts, one of the biggest storylines heading into Sunday night’s matchup is the likely season debut for tight end T.J. Hockenson. The two-time Pro Bowler has not played since tearing the ACL and MCL in his right knee in a Week 16 game against the Detroit Lions last December.
Raimann (concussion) was the only player listed as out in the Colts’ Friday injury report, with defensive end Kwity Paye (hamstring) questionable, the only other Colts player to be given an injury designation for Sunday’s matchup. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was a limited participant in Friday’s practice but was not given an injury designation, so he should be good to go Sunday.
On the Vikings’ Friday injury report, defensive lineman Taimani (ankle) and linebacker Cashman (toe) are both out for Sunday. Listed as questionable are guard Dalton Risner (back) and cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip).
Projected Starting Lineup for Each Team
Indianapolis Colts
The projected starting lineup is based on the Colts’ current depth chart
Indianapolis Colts Projected Starters
- Quarterback: Joe Flacco
- Running Back: Jonathan Taylor
- Wide Receiver: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
- Tight End: Kylen Granson
- Left Offensive Guard: Quenton Nelson
- Left Offensive Tackle:Â Blake Freeland
- Center: Ryan Kelly
- Right Offensive Tackle: Braden Smith
- Right Offensive Guard: Dalton Tucker
- Left Defensive End: Dayo Odeyingbo
- Left Defensive Tackle: Grover Stewart
- Right Defensive End: Laiatu Latu
- Right Defensive Tackle: DeForest Buckner
- Strongside Linebacker: Grant Stuard
- Middle Linebacker: Zaire Franklin
- Weakside Linebacker: E.J. Speed
- Left Cornerback: Kenny Moore II
- Right Cornerback: Jaylon Jones
- Free Safety: Rodney Thomas II
- Strong Safety: Julian Blackmon
- Punter: Rigoberto Sanchez
- Kicker: Matt Gay
- Long Snapper: Luke Rhodes
- Kick Returner: Josh Downs
- Punt Returner: Josh Downs
Minnesota Vikings
The projected starting lineup is based on the Vikings’ current depth chart.
Minnesota Vikings Projected Starters
- Quarterback: Sam Darnold
- Running Back: Aaron Jones
- Fullback: C.J. Ham
- Wide Receiver: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison
- Tight End: T.J. Hockenson
- Left Offensive Guard: Blake Brandel
- Left Offensive Tackle: Cam Robinson
- Center: Garrett Bradbury
- Right Offensive Tackle: Brian O’Neill
- Right Offensive Guard: Ed Ingram
- Defensive End: Jonathan Bullard
- Defensive Tackle: Jerry Tillery
- Nose Tackle: Harrison Phillips
- Outside Linebacker: Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel
- Inside Linebacker: Ivan Pace Jr., Brian Asamoah II
- Left Cornerback: Stephon Gilmore
- Right Cornerback: Byron Murphy Jr.
- Free Safety: Camryn Bynum
- Strong Safety: Harrison Smith
- Punter: Ryan Wright
- Kicker: Will Reichard
- Long Snapper: Andrew DePaola
- Kick Returner: Ty Chandler
- Punt Returner: Brandon Powell
