Vikings CB Cameron Dantzler doubtful for Sunday with calf injury
Dec. 31—The Vikings on Sunday night could be even more depleted in the secondary.
Minnesota on Friday listed cornerback Cameron Dantzler as doubtful for the game at Green Bay due to a calf injury. If he can't play, Kris Boyd likely would start.
Dantzler started the past two games after Bashaud Breeland was waived on Dec. 18. Despite potentially being down another cornerback and facing Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer remained optimistic Friday.
"Last year, when we played them up there, we lost about three or four corners during the game," Zimmer said of Minnesota's 28-22 upset win at Lambeau Field in November 2020. "So ... I have confidence in the guys that will be out there."
Minnesota's other cornerbacks on the 53-man roster are starter Patrick Peterson, nickelback Mackensie Alexander and Harrison Hand. Tye Smith is expected to be activated for the game off the practice squad.
The Vikings also listed as questionable for Sunday nose tackle Michael Pierce (illness), tight end Tyler Conklin (hamstring) and linebacker Chazz Surratt (illness). Conklin and Surratt were full participants Friday, while Pierce did not practice.
Co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson returned to practice after being out for a week after testing positive for COVID-19. He missed last Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Packers listed as out cornerback Jaire Alexander (shoulder) and offensive linemen David Bakhtiari (knee) and Billy Turner (knee) and as questionable defensive lineman Tyler Lancaster (back). Alexander was a limited participant in practice all week after being activated off injured reserve.
BRIEFLY
The Vikings activated tackle Rashod Hill off the COVID-19 Friday after he had been placed on it last Sunday and missed the game against the Rams. ... Zimmer said it will be a "big thing" avoiding turnovers against Green Bay on a night temperatures could be in single digits. "We're going to have to take care of the football and treat it like it's gold," he said. ... Shortly after news broke Friday that quarterback Kirk Cousins had gone on the COVID-19 reserve list and would be replaced Sunday by Sean Mannion, the Packers went from a seven- to a 13-point favorite. ... Atlanta signed tackle Rick Leonard off Minnesota's practice squad after he had signed Tuesday with the Vikings. ... Vikings assistant special teams coach Robert Steeples will leave after the season to become a defensive assistant at LSU under new coach Brian Kelly.
