The Vikings’ defense has been nothing short of sensational this season, and it’s largely thanks to the transformative touch of Brian Flores. When we talk about their secondary, that’s where the real fireworks have been under the helmet. A major reason for their success is the savvy signing of Stephon Gilmore before Week 1, adding a layer of expertise and polish to their defensive backfield.

However, a cloud loomed over the Vikings’ triumph against the Cardinals on Sunday as Kevin O’Connell shed light on Gilmore’s hamstring issue. Nobody likes hearing the word injury when it’s tied to a star player, and a hamstring one at that is worrisome. But there’s a silver lining—O’Connell reassures us it’s a low-grade sprain, so fans can breathe a sigh of relief that it shouldn’t keep Gilmore sidelined for long.

Despite Gilmore’s absence against the Cardinals, the Vikings’ secondary managed to keep it together. Yes, there were moments when Arizona’s passing game seemed on the verge of breaking through, but the Vikings knew just where to hold the line. If Gilmore does miss any upcoming action, it’ll be on Fabian Moreau and Shaq Griffin to keep the momentum going, stepping up as they admirably did during the latest outing.

There’s also a wildcard option lurking in the shadows: UDFA Dwight McGlothern, who could potentially provide extra depth. Whether he’ll get the call-up remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the Vikings are looking deep and determined, even in the face of adversity. As they say in football, the next man up mentality is what separates the good teams from the great ones.