Sunday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will feature two NFC teams, and former NFC Central rivals, but the biggest story as of Friday is the injuries each team is dealing with. As both teams look to pick up their first win of the NFL season, they’ll also have to overcome their own team’s injury report as well.
The Vikings listed four players on the final injury report of the week, led by middle linebacker E.J. Henderson. Henderson is officially listed as questionable with a knee injury and, if he’s unable to play, it seems that either his brother Erin Henderson or Xavier Adibi will take the field in his place. Defensive end Adrian Awasom is also listed as questionable while Asher Allen and Michael Jenkins are both probable to play on Sunday.
The Buccaneers listed tight end Kellen Winslow as a player who missed practice on Friday, though his absence was related to injury and he should be available on Sunday. Defensive end Da`Quan Bowers is listed as probable while cornerback Myron Lewis and wide receiver Sammie Stroughter will both be unavailable on Sunday.
If Henderson is unable to play, it looks like the Buccaneers will be — if nothing else — the healthier team of the two when Minnesota and Tampa Bay meet.