As the NFL continues to try to expand its fan base and attempts to secure the international market, a major component of that drive is select games being placed in various international markets. This year, the league has already had games take place in Brazil and Ireland. Next on the docket is a Sunday morning game in London, when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Cleveland Browns.
The biggest story for the game, on the Vikings’ side, is the plethora of injuries the team is dealing with. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy has missed the last two games, and the clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4 saw injuries pile up for the offensive line.
As a result, when the two sides face off in Week 5, fans are going to be monitoring the players who officially make the cut for Sunday.
Inactive List for Browns and Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
- QB J.J. McCarthy
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
- C Michael Jurgens
- G Donovan Jackson
- T Brian O’Neill
- TE Ben Yurosek
- DT Elijah Williams
An offensive line that ranks 18th on PFSN’s OL Impact has been left brutalized going into the game. To make matters worse, their next game comes against the Browns and an elite defensive line, featuring former Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett.
As a result, protecting backup quarterback Carson Wentz is going to be the first priority for this Minnesota team.
Cleveland Browns
- QB Shedeur Sanders
- DT Mike Hall Jr.
- RB Raheim Sanders
- OT Cornelius Lucas
- OT Thayer Munfold Jr.
- OL Zak Zinter
Starters for Browns vs. Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The offense, which is in shambles at the moment, will feature:
- QB Carson Wentz
- RB Jordan Mason
- WR Justin Jefferson
- WR Jordan Addison
- WR Jalen Nailor
- TE T.J. Hockenson
- FB C.J. Ham (Questionable)
- LT Christian Darrisaw
- LG Blake Brandel
- C Vershon Lee
- RG Will Fries
- LT Justin Skule
The defense, on the other hand, continues to be a highlight under Brian Flores and will look to bounce back from a disappointing Week 4 effort. They will have:
- LDE Jonathan Allen
- RDE Jalen Redmond
- NT Javon Hargrave
- WLB Jonathan Greenard
- LILB Eric Wilson
- RILB Ivan Pace Jr.
- SLB Dallas Turner
- LCB Isaiah Rodgers
- SS Joshua Metellus
- FS Harrison Smith
- RCB Byron Murphy Jr.
- NB Tavierre Thomas
The special teams unit will feature:
- PK Will Reichard
- P, H Ryan Wright
- PR, KR Myles Price
- LS Andrew DePaola
An offense that was already missing McCarthy and running back Aaron Jones is now entering the game with six players from its offensive line core out. After Wentz was unable to find success against the Steelers in Week 4, expect the game to be a defensive masterclass between the two sides.
Cleveland Browns
One of the most intriguing units to watch this Sunday, the Browns offense will feature:
- QB Dillon Gabriel
- RB Quinshon Judkins
- WR Jerry Jeudy
- WR Isaiah Bond
- WR Jamari Thrash
- TE David Njoku
- LT Cam Robinson
- LG Joel Bitonio
- C Ethan Pocic
- RG Wyatt Teller
- RT Jack Conklin
A Cleveland defense that has added a few excellent pieces this season will have:
- LDE Myles Garrett
- LDT Maliek Collins
- RDT Mason Graham
- RDE Isaiah McGuire
- WLB Jerome Baker
- MLB Carson Schewsinger
- SLB Devin Bush
- LCB Denzel Ward
- SS Grant Delpit
- FS Ronnie Hickman
- RCB Greg Newsome II
- NB Myles Harden
The special teams unit, with DeAndre Carter on IR, will feature:
- PK Andre Szmyt
- P, H Corey Bojorquez
- PR Isaiah Bond
- KR Jerome Ford
- LS Rex Sunahara
The focus for most of the football world is going to be on the elevation of Gabriel as the starter over Joe Flacco. As a result, the offense is going to be something that Cleveland fans look forward to for the first time all season.
With the injuries to the Vikings’ offensive line, though, this is a game that the defense can wreak havoc in and pull off an upset in, starting off the Gabriel era on the right foot.
