The Vikings defense had no success stopping the Seahawks offense last Sunday as their effort to stand strong without four of their starters fell flat.
They’ll need to do a better job against the Cardinals on Thursday to get a better result, but they’ll have to do it without those four starters. The Vikings announced Wednesday that defensive tackle Linval Joseph, linebacker Anthony Barr and starting safeties Harrison Smith and Andrew Sendejo will all miss the game.
Joseph, who has a foot injury, and Sendejo, who has a knee injury, were both ruled out before last Sunday’s game. Barr, who is battling a groin issue, and Smith, who hurt his knee, were both listed as questionable with those injuries before departing the game for good in the first half.
Linebacker Brandon Watts has also been ruled out due to a rib injury and safety Robert Blanton is questionable after returning to practice Wednesday. If Blanton’s knee isn’t well enough for him to play, the team may have to lean heavily on Shaun Prater and Anthony Harris in the secondary because Antone Exum was placed on injured reserve this week.
