The Minnesota Vikings are 5-0 despite plenty of offensive struggles. Injuries have contributed to the struggles, with Kyler Murray, Jordan Mason, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, Christian Darrisaw, and Donovan Jackson all missing time.
On Sunday, the Vikings put up a season-high 364 yards of offense against the Saints, even though opening-day starters Mason, Addison, Darrisaw, and Jackson were out. Hockenson was lost after a reception on Minnesota's first drive. Second-year tight ends Gavin Bartholomew (five receptions, 33 yards) and Ben Yurosek (one reception, 10 yards) filled in admirably.
Kevin O'Connell attributed this to a "next man up" mentality, where the team relies on its depth players to step in when needed and doesn't
make excuses for injuries.
"I am very proud of what the team has accomplished," O'Connell said after the game. "There is no excuse. There's a next man up. And I've been very appreciative of you guys not really mentioning that the whole time. So we didn't give ourselves a built-in excuse by any stretch. But I do feel very strongly about the next man up, who that guy is, our roster that [GM Nolan Teasley has] put together, that we've got depth."
Fortunately, Jackson is the only player in the group who will be out for an extended time, as he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a meniscus tear in Week 4. The rest of the players have a chance to be ready to go soon after this week's bye.
Until then, O'Connell will continue to rely on less-established players to step in and help secure more victories.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Kevin O'Connell has faith in the Vikings' approach to injuries
