Final Vikings injury report vs. Rams: Cashman, Hockenson, Risner statuses

Hockenson and Risner are officially questionable for Thursday's game.

Will Ragatz | Oct 23, 2024

Nov 19, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after making a catch against the Denver Broncos in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings have ruled out linebacker Blake Cashman (toe) for Thursday night's game against the Rams. It'll be his second consecutive missed game due to turf toe, an absence that the team hopes will end against the Colts in Week 9. Without Cashman, Ivan Pace Jr. is slated for another every-down role as the Vikings' green dot player in Los Angeles.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson (knee) and guard Dalton Risner (back) are listed as questionable. Both players are within their 21-day practice windows to return from injured reserve, so a roster move would be needed if they're going to be activated to play on Thursday.

There's reportedly a "decent" chance Hockenson, who was limited in practice this week, makes his season debut against the Rams. He feels healthy, it's just been about getting him acclimated to football again and waiting until he's completely ready to hit the ground running. If he doesn't play in this game, he'll almost certainly play against the Colts. Hockenson's 21-day window was opened on October 4, so he has to be activated by 3 p.m. CT Friday, the day after that window concludes.

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Risner practiced in full on Tuesday, which indicates he's also healthy. The Vikings have a decision to make at right guard between struggling starter Ed Ingram and Risner, who has exclusively played left guard in his career but worked at RG during training camp.

Backup cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip) is also healthy. RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) was limited this week, but he's off the injury report and good to go once again.

For the Rams, Cooper Kupp is off the injury report and will play for the first time since Week 2. Starters Joe Noteboom and Troy Reeder are out, while three players are questionable, including top pass-rusher Braden Fiske and Puka Nacua, who remains on IR.

Vikings-Rams final injury report / Minnesota Vikings

Published Oct 23, 2024|Modified Oct 23, 2024

WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.