Matt LaFleur was right: Kirk Cousins will be the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings against LaFleur's Green Bay Packers on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell officially confirmed Cousins, who was acquired via trade with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday, will be the starting quarterback for the Vikings on Sunday. The Vikings also ruled out five players on the final injury report, including starting linebacker Blake Cashman, starting tight end T.J. Hockenson and starting defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
The Packers were expecting Cousins to start. After facing Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz in the season opener in September, the Packers will get a new challenge in Cousins, who threw 20 touchdown passes across
nine starts with the Raiders before returning to Minnesota at the trade deadline this week. He got only three practices with the Vikings but has past experience with O'Connell's offense. The 38-year-old will start for the Vikings for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon at Lambeau Field in 2023.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has announced that QB Kirk Cousins will start Sunday at Green Bay. pic.twitter.com/zSMqWo0pHQ
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 13, 2026
The Vikings won't have several key players on Sunday, including Cashman, who is enjoying an All-Pro caliber season at linebacker, and Hockenson, who leads the team in catches (35) and has past experience playing with Cousins. Minnesota also won't have receiver Jauan Jennings, and Murray is officially out for the second straight week because of a hamstring injury.
With Murray out, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer will be the backups behind Cousins.
Safety Josh Mettelus, receiver Jordan Addison and outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy are all questionable to play.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Vikings rule out 5 players, name Kirk Cousins starting QB vs. Packers
