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Vikings' Week 2 Outlook Dealt a Big Blow After Falcons' Friday Injury Report

By Michael Bohlin

Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell reacts against the Los Angeles Rams during the second half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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The Minnesota Vikings are riding high entering Week 2 after knocking off their division rival, the Chicago Bears, in a thrilling comeback victory on Monday Night Football. As great as that feeling was for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and his teammates, this is the NFL, and that means there is no time to soak up headlines, as things are not going to be any easier this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

The injury report released on Friday is further proof of this, as Minnesota will have to contain two of Atlanta's most talented offensive weapons when they take the field at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Vikings' Week 2 Outlook Dealt Blow After Updates on Looney and London

While Drake London was in uniform and available to play in Week 1, and was a big part of the offensive attack with eight receptions, his running mate on the outside, Darnell Mooney, was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Now, those two will be back in action with no limitations, as they were removed from the injury report altogether, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

With Jeff Okudah (concussion) missing practice on Thursday, while Isaiah Rodgers (elbow) and Harrison Smith (Illness) were both limited participants, the likelihood that the Vikings enter this matchup shorthanded on the backend of the defense, where London and Mooney can do some real damage, is quite concerning.

After allowing Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams to get off to such a hot start in Week 1, Minnesota's defense will need to bring its best effort from the opening kick on Sunday night if it wants to prevent McCarthy and the offense from playing from behind for the second straight week. McCarthy may be talented, and certainly has the looks of a gritty QB who will continue to fight until the final whistle, but asking an inexperienced signal-caller to overcome a deficit in back-to-back weeks is a dangerous game to play.

There is still plenty of time between now and Sunday night. Perhaps the injury issues facing the Vikings as of this writing will work themselves out by then. If not, fans in Minnesota could spend the majority of the night on the edge of their seat while watching their team look to improve to 2-0.

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