Minnesota Vikings Tackle Injured

The Minnesota Vikings are off to a nightmarish start to their Week 17 NFC North showdown with the Green Bay Packers. Offensive lineman Brian O'Neill exited in the first quarter with a calf injury and was promptly declared out.

T Brian O'Neill has been downgraded to out with a calf injury. https://t.co/TGC5WH8o3o

— Vikings Communications (@VikingsPR) January 1, 2023

O'Neill has started all 16 games for the Vikings this season and 75 games overall for the Vikings since being drafted 62nd overall in 2018. He has earned an impressive 83.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus this year for his efforts. The Vikings declaring him out so quickly does not bode well for a quick return in the coming weeks.

Even excluding O'Neill's injury, the Vikings had an absolutely miserable first quarter against their division rivals. Packers defensive back Kesisean Nixon returned a kickoff 105 yards for a touchdown and defensive back Darnell Savage intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass for a 75-yard pick-six. Thankfully, the Vikings defense held the Packers offense scoreless.

At 12-3 entering today's game, the Vikings have already clinched the NFC North, and they maintain an outside shot at home-field advantage. But that requires a win today.

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