Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals Injury Report Week 15: Latest on Justin Jefferson, Alexander Mattison and more 

The Minnesota Vikings take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 and from Justin Jefferson to Alexander Mattison, there are injuries for both teams to contend with. Both teams currently hold a 7-6 record and each will be looking to improve as they make their pitch to make it into the postseason.

The Vikings are currently already in the playoff places, whereas the Bengals are on the bubble and need some catching up to do. When the schedule came out in the offseason, this could have been a matchup between two of the most explosive quarterbacks in the league, both of whom took their teams to the playoffs. But both Kirk Cousins for Minnesota and Joe Burrow are done for the season.

Instead, as is customary in most late games each year, there will be changes to contend with. That extends to positions other than quarterbacks. For the early afternoon kickoff on Saturday, we give the full details below of who will be playing and who will not.

Week 15: Vikings vs Bengals injury report

Injuries are spread out across both the Vikings and the Bengals squads. But Minnesota seems to have the worst of it with more players out and questionable. Here is where things stand going into the game on Saturday.

Week 15: Minnesota Vikings injury report

Vikings	Position	Injury	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Game Status
Alexander Mattison	RB	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Jalen Nailor	WR	Concussion	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Brian O'Neill	T	Ankle	DNP	DNP	DNP	Out
Justin Jefferson	WR	Chest	LP	LP	FP	Questionable
Chris Reed	G	Illness	-	DNP	LP	Questionable
Dalton Risner	G	Ankle	LP	LP	FP	-
Ed Ingram	G	Hip	LP	FP	FP	-

Losing their franchise quarterback was bad enough but offensive problems for the Minnesota Vikings extend far beyond that. In this game, they have three players who are confirmed out for the game. Running back Alexander Mattison, wide receiver Jalen Nailor and offensive right tackle Brian O'Neill all did not practice this week and will not suit up.

Star receiver Justin Jefferson was suffering from a chest injury and was limited in practice for most of the week, before being a full participant in the final practice. He is questionable but is most likely to be available. His prognosis looks better than guard Chris Reed who did not practice one day and was limited in practice in the final session and is also questionable. Dalton Risner and Ed Ingram should be fit to go, giving some semblance of stability to the offensive line.

Week 15: Cincinnati Bengals injury report

Bengals	Position	Injury	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Game Status
Joe Bachie	LB	Oblique	DNP	DNP	LP	Questionable
Ja'Marr Chase	WR	Ankle	DNP	LP	FP	-
Tyler Boyd	WR	Foot/Ankle	LP	LP	FP	-
DJ Turner II	CB	Ankle	LP	LP	FP	-
Chidobe Awuzie	CB	Shoulder	FP	FP	FP	-
Jake Browning	QB	Right Forearm	FP	FP	FP	-
Mitchell Wilcox	TE	Knee	FP	FP	FP	-

The Bengals seem to have a much better situation going into the game as it stands with injuries. They had seven participants listed on the injury report. Out of that only linebacker Joe Bachie looks to be a doubt. He did not practice for two days and was limited in the final session and is officially questionable.

Others look to be fit to go. Of particular concern for the fans would have been Jake Browning's appearance on the report due to a right forearm injury but he has practiced in full all week. With Joe Burrow out, they really cannot afford to lose him. A bigger concern, in terms of match readiness, could be with the tools he has.

Wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd both missed time in practice this week. But the good news is that both of them, along with everyone else, took part in full practice going into this game.

How to watch Minnesota Vikings vs Cincinnati Bengals live

NFL returns to the screens on Saturday for the first time this season. In this matchup between two evenly matched teams across conferences, anyone could win on paper. To see the game on the field, however, the details are as follows:

• When: Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Paycor Stadium -- Cincinnati, Ohio
• TV: NFL Network (game also will air on WCCO in the Twin Cities and WCPO in Cincinnati)
• Online streaming: fuboTV

It should be a fascinating game with the team that digs deeper within their reserves expected to win.