Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (quadriceps) finds himself on this week's injury report but he was able to practice in full on Thursday as the team begins preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams on Monday evening in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Darnold appeared to hurt his leg late in the Sunday night loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but he didn't miss any snaps on his way to a poor showing (166 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions). He should be fine to play against the Rams, where he'll have plenty of bounce-back potential despite losing to them back on Oct. 24, when he went 18-for-25 for 240 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, the Rams defense was a top-10 matchup for opposing QBs all year by allowing 19.6 fantasy points per game to the position. Darnold will be a solid midrange QB1 target in fantasy against LA.

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (quadriceps) remains on the injury report and was limited in the first practice of the week on Thursday. The Vikings still have two more days of practice, so as long as Jones can return to a full session by Saturday, he should be cleared to face the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card playoff round on Monday night. The 30-year-old was also limited in practice with his quad injury last week but ended up playing in the Sunday night loss to the division-rival Detroit Lions in the Week 18 regular-season finale, seeing 15 touches for 75 scrimmage yards on a 62% snap share. For the volume alone as Minnesota's primary back in a high-scoring offense, Jones should be considered a low-end RB1 for wild-card weekend in fantasy. In the loss to the Rams back on Oct. 24, Jones had 19 carries for 58 yards and also caught two passes for 37 yards.

The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Daniel Jones from their practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Tuesday and waived quarterback Brett Rypien in a corresponding move. Jones was waived by the Giants in November and latched on quickly with the Vikings' practice squad, but now he'll be on the active roster as QB insurance for the postseason behind starter Sam Darnold and backup Nick Mullens. It will be the first time the 27-year-old Jones is on the team's active roster since joining the organization late in November. Depending on the future of Darnold in Minnesota after this season, Jones could very likely be playing for another team in 2025. Remember, the Vikes also drafted rookie J.J. McCarthy (knee) in the first round in April of 2024. It's unlikely that Jones will be on the fantasy radar in single-QB fantasy draft in the fall.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor brought in 3-of-4 targets for 53 yards in Sunday night's 31-9 road loss to the Detroit Lions. Nailor was the team's second-leading receiver in Week 18 -- falling one yard shy of tying Justin Jefferson for the most on the squad. The Lions' defense was disruptive in this one, keeping Sam Darnold off balance and out of rhythm for the majority of the contest. As such, most of the Vikings offense was held to little or no production as Detroit relentlessly broke up passes and held the team to short gains. The 25-year-old will get another exploitable matchup next weekend in the Wild Card round -- squaring off with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi stadium. However, he'll be little more than a DFS dart throw for the road tilt.

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers rushed six times for 65 yards in Sunday's 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions. Akers had a long rush of 58 yards -- breaking free early in the third quarter to bring Minnesota inside the Lions' five-yard line. However, the drive would stall, and they'd turn it over on downs. Otherwise, he gained only seven yards on his other five carries against a Lions defense out to prove a point in the season finale. Backfield mate Aaron Jones was sidelined for a bit in this one, but no injury was reported. If Jones is forced to miss time, the 25-year-old would be the next man up, and projects to command the lion's share of the team's backfield touches. It'd be wise to keep an eye on Jones' practice status this week as the team prepares for a Wild Card bout with the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.