Injuries on defense could hamstring Vikings vs. Cardinals

Sep. 17—VIKINGS (0-1) AT CARDINALS (1-0)

— Kickoff: 3:05 p.m. Sunday

— Where: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.

— TV: KMSP-Channel 9; Gus Johnson, Aqib Talib, Megan Olvi

— Radio: KFXN-FM 100.3; Paul Allen, Pete Bercich, Greg Coleman, Ben Leber

— Series: Vikings lead 17-11

— Line: Cardinals by 3 1/2

The Vikings are coming off a disappointing season-opening loss at Cincinnati, where they appeared to be driving for the winning score before running back Dalvin Cook fumbled near midfield, and the Bengals won the game 27-24 on a 33-yard field goal by Evan McPherson. The Vikings were penalized 12 times for 116 yards in the loss, something coaches worked hard to eliminate during practice this week. Kirk Cousins passed for 351 yards and two touchdowns, but issues on the line kept the quarterback from taking shots down the field: his passes averages a distance of 6.1 yards in the air.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are coming off an impressive 38-13 victory over Tennessee last Sunday. Slippery quarterback Kyler Murray passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns, and rushed for a fifth. On defense, defensive end Chandler Jones sacked Ryan Tannehill five times — disconcerting for a Vikings offensive line that had issues against the Bengals, and a quarterback with a penchant giving up and taking a sack under pressure.

The Vikings also will be without linebacker Anthony Barr, who will miss a second straight game because of a knee injury, and defensive end Everson Griffen, who suffered a concussion in a car accident this week. And then there is middle linebacker Eric Kendricks, questionable on Friday's injury list because of a quad injury. If Kendricks sits, that's three key starters missing against a potent offense.