The Minnesota Vikings injury report for Week 16 is important mostly because they could potentially end up with the top pick in next year's draft with a loss this weekend against the Washington Redskins. The team has said before they'd rather play for pride than tank for a better pick, but the injury report obviously plays a part.
The Vikings aren't exactly banged up this weekend, but concussions have some players reeling due to injury. 1500 ESPN has more on the major players.
The Vikings ruled out left guard Steve Hutchinson and cornerback Asher Allen for Saturday's game at Washington because of concussions they suffered in last weekend's loss to New Orleans. Both returned briefly against the Saints before departing for good and didn't practice all week.
Joe Berger is expected to start in Hutchinson's place, with rookie Brandon Fusco perhaps rotating in for a series or two. The Vikings plan to use a rotation at cornerback including Benny Sapp, Marcus Sherels, Brandon Burton and Cedric Griffin, who hasn't played on defense since getting benched on Dec. 11 at Detroit.
The only other Vikings players listed on the injury report are Jarrad Page, Kevin Williams, Anthony Herrera and Erin Henderson -- all of which are probable.