The Minnesota Vikings are now going to be playing on national television when they face the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon. It’s going to be a huge game, as a win for the Vikings will result in their week 18 game against the Detroit Lions being for the division and the top seed in the NFC.

After their 27-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks in week 16, the Vikings continue to control their own destiny. Two more wins will seal the deal. Even if they don’t win out, the Vikings will at minimum be in the playoffs, as they clinched a playoff spot already.

Going into the game against the Packers, there are numerous injuries the Vikings are facing on defense. One of those is Harrison Smith, who missed his first game in two years on Sunday.

O’Connell sounded very optimistic about Smith’s availability for Sunday’s border battle.

“Harrison Smith, as I kind of said yesterday, truly was kind of a game-time feel to that. So to get the victory, and also make sure we gave him a day he should be able to progress through the week and be available for us.”

Jalen Redmond

The young upstart defensive tackle has impressed across multiple games this season. He’s played so well that the Vikings ended up starting him over Jerry Tillery and made two starts before ending up suffering a concussion against the Chicago Bears in the final minutes.

He missed Sunday’s game due to being in the concussion protocol after there being hope he would be ready to go against the Seahawks.

“Jalen Redmond is doing well in the protocol,” said O’Connell. “(He’s) entering kind of the next phases of that, and hope to work him back in throughout the week.”

Ivan Pace Jr.

Arguably the biggest one on this list is Pace, who is now eligible to be activated from injured reserve after missing four games.

“We will open up Ivan paces window to begin practicing. Very excited about that. We’ll see how he progresses, and coming off of a hamstring, you just, you never quite know. So I don’t want to be absolute, but the plan is, as of right now, to open his window, get him some work, and then hopefully have him available.”

Fabian Moreau

Moreau is one of those unsung heroes on the defense. He’s been more than solid whenever he’s entered the game for the Vikings and they could use more cornerback depth, as Dwight McGlothern might not be ready for a sincere workload. 

Moreau missed last week with a hip injury and he might be able to go on Sunday against the Packers. With their multiple threats on the outside, they could use Moreau.

“Fabian Moreau is really the one that you know will be a progression throughout the week, to see if he can be available for us.”