Landry (hip) acknowledged he's been playing with a fractured sacrum since organized team activities, Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: "I just know when I came back for OTAs, I just had something bothering me and I went to the training room to get it checked out, went and got an MRI," Landry said. "That's kind of the reason I was held out of OTAs and training camp a little bit, I was sparingly here and there." The sacrum is the wedge-shaped vertebra at the base of the spinal column where it intersects with the hip bones to form the pelvis. Landry will visit a specialist following Week 16, and said he's unsure if he'll play in the Pro Bowl on Jan. 26.
Mannion could get his second career start this week against Chicago if starter Kirk Cousins is rested ahead of the playoffs, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. "Sean's a smart guy,'' head coach Mike Zimmer said. "He's done a really good job on the (scout team). When he gets his opportunities with the other guys, he's done a good job."
Analysis: With the Vikings locked into the No. 6 playoff seed, there's nothing to play for this week against Chicago. However, the Vikings may be motivated to play their starters for a quarter or two after a poor offensive performance in last week's loss to Green Bay. Head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't said whether he'll rest his starters and may not announce a decision until kickoff. Either way, it seems likely that Mannion will see significant action Sunday as it's unlikely Cousins will play more than a quarter or two.
Thielen doesn't know how much he'll play this week against the Bears or whether he'll play at all, the team's official web site reports. "We don't know. The coaches aren't going to tell us [if we're playing]," Thielen said.
Analysis: With the Vikings locked into the No. 6 playoff seed, there's nothing to play for this week against Chicago. Head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't said whether he'll rest his starters and may not announce a decision until kickoff. Thielen didn't have a catch last week against Green Bay, but said it wasn't due to his previously injured hamstring (which caused him to miss five games). The Vikings may want to give him another week of rest, but Thielen could also use the work since he's been out of sync the last two games with just three receptions for 27 yards.
Cousins doesn't know how much he'll play this week against the Bears or whether he'll play at all, the team's official web site reports. "Certainly would love to be able to play well and get a bad taste out of your mouth, and we'll see what ends up being the right call," he said.
Analysis: With the Vikings locked into the No. 6 playoff seed, there's nothing to play for this week against Chicago. Head coach Mike Zimmer hasn't said whether he'll rest his starters and may not announce a decision until kickoff. Cousins is a risky fantasy option as a result. However, the Vikings may play their starters for a quarter or two after a poor offensive performance in last week's loss to Green Bay.
Ertz was held out of practice Thursday due to rib and back injuries, Les Bowen of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: After missing some time in the first half of the Eagles' Week 16 win against the Cowboys, Ertz returned to action but made little impact as a receiver the rest of the way, finishing with four catches (on six targets) for 28 yards. On Monday, it was revealed that the tight end suffered a broken rib, which was the sole reason for his absence from practice Wednesday. One day later, the back issue was tacked on the injury report, further clouding Ertz's status. Pederson noted Thursday that Ertz will require clearance to play in the regular-season finale versus the Giants. A win in that contest sews up the NFC East for the Eagles, and an active Ertz will be welcome news for a banged-up receiving corps. Friday's injury report will reveal his odds to suit up this weekend, but fellow TE Dallas Goedert figures to be the biggest beneficiary, whether or not Ertz plays.
Webster (concussion) was limited in practice Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's a step in the right direction for Webster, although he still has steps remaining to clear the league's concussion protocol. He's been exclusively a return specialist in his four games with the Rams this season.
Thomas missed Thursday's practice with an illness, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: There's been no news as to the nature or seriousness of the illness as of yet. Thomas has been primarily a special teams player this season and has seen just seven offensive snaps over the last five weeks.
Clay (calf) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Analysis: Clay left after four snaps on offense and his only catch of Sunday's eventual 27-13 win at Seattle. A knee injury was to blame and still hasn't allowed him to get on the practice field this week. He'll have one more chance to do so Friday, but if he's eventually limited or even absent in the season finale versus the Rams in L.A., Dan Arnold and Darrell Daniels would be in line for additional reps behind starting tight end Maxx Williams.
