Team Profile
Minnesota Vikings
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2.9% 15thOff DVOA
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24.7% 12thPassing DVOA
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-9.6% 19thRushing DVOA
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-15.4% 2ndDef DVOA
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-12.8% 1stDef Passing DVOA
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-20.2% 5thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For25.4 10th
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Points Against19.5 4th
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Yards Per Game347.0 12th
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Yards Allowed Per Game336.0 16th
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) remained a non-participant at Thursday's practice. A concussion has forced Nailor to the sidelines for Minnesota's last three games, and there's no indication that he is making much progress in the league's five-step protocol to return to action. With that said, the 24-year-old deep threat should be considered doubtful at best for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. Nailor has been buried in the Vikings' receiving corps, anyway, essentially serving as a depth piece with three receptions on six targets for 29 yards in six outings, and his likely absence won't free up any noticeable target volume for any of the Vikes' surrounding pass catchers in Week 18.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (finger, knee) was limited in the team's practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Jones isn't in any real danger of missing the team's must-win Week 18 regular season finale against the visiting Chicago Bears this weekend. Backfield mate AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) has yet to practice this week, too, so Jones could have a bigger workload in Green Bay's backfield on Sunday if Dillon is limited or out entirely. The 29-year-old Jones is peaking late in the season for fantasy managers and will be a midrange RB2 option against Chicago. In his last two games, Jones has 41 carries for 247 yards and has caught two passes for 18 additional yards. He'll have the opportunity for another big game against a Bears defense that has been a top-10 matchup for opposing fantasy RBs.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday as his team began preparing to face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The wideout has missed the past three games with a concussion and is apparently still in the league's concussion protocol as the Vikings prepare for their regular-season finale. Nailor will need to get onto the field in at least a limited capacity by Friday in order to have a shot at playing in Week 18.
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (finger, knee) was listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's walkthrough practice estimation. Jones continues to be limited in practice early in the week, but he isn't in danger of sitting out in a must-win Week 18 regular season matchup against the visiting Chicago Bears this weekend. The 29-year-old could have a bigger workload, too, if AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) is forced to sit out after suffering a stinger in Sunday night's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Regardless of whether Dillon is active or not in Week 18, Jones will have RB2 appeal for fantasy managers still playing for something. In his last two games, Jones has looked better, carrying the ball 41 times for 247 yards while catching two of his four targets for 18 yards through the air.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. As a result, Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season in a meaningless game for the Niners, as they are already locked into the top seed in the NFC and will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition to Purdy, the Niners ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) already after he strained his calf in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. San Francisco could choose to limit other key offensive weapons this weekend, making all Niners players risky in fantasy lineups in Week 18. Darnold will be in play as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in leagues that start two QBs.