James Conner #6 of the Arizona Cardinals is tackled during the first quarter of a game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 01, 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. ((Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images))
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings host the Chicago Bears for Monday Night Football in a whiteout at U.S. Bank Stadium, and they’ll be without one starting defensive back.
Stephon Gilmore was among the inactives released 90 minutes before kickoff. He’s been dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of practice until Friday. Other than Gilmore, there were no other significant names that will miss Monday’s game.
Why it matters
The Vikings signed Gilmore during training camp, needing depth in the secondary. Gilmore is in his 13th NFL season and has started 12 games this season. He’s got 47 tackles, one interception and seven passes defended this season. He injured the hamstring in the win over the Cardinals, and missed last week's game.
Playoff spot clinched
The Vikings clinched at least a spot in the NFC Wild Card playoffs after the Green Bay Packers beat the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football. The Detroit Lions also lost to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, opening the door for the Vikings in the NFC North. If Minnesota wins its final four games, it wins the division at 15-2, and gets a No. 1 seed and a first round bye.
Regardless, the Vikings are headed to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons under Kevin O’Connelll.
What's next
After the Bears, the Vikings head to Seattle, host the Packers and then close out out the regular season against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. The Vikings must finished ahead of the Lions record-wise to win the NFC North. Detroit currently has the tiebreaker over Minnesota by virtue of its win at U.S. Bank Stadium earlier this season.