The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings published their official inactive lists before Sunday’s wild-card round game, and it doesn’t carry many surprises. Several players were preemptively ruled out on Friday’s injury report while managing various issues — that group includes starting Saints cornerback Eli Apple and fullback Zach Line, as well as Vikings nickel cornerback Mackensie Alexander.
New Orleans was without both Apple and Line a week ago, and their fill-in replacements played well. Veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins closed out the regular season with a timely interception, while former Saints practice squad call-up Ricky Ortiz threw some key blocks and caught a pass or two in Line’s absence.
It’s less clear how Minnesota will adapt, because neither Alexander nor his backup (slot specialist and punt returner Mike Hughes, who is on injured reserve) will play. While both of the Vikings’ starting cornerbacks are active, they could have to press a safety into slot coverage or rush returns specialist Marcus Sherels into the role. Considering Sherels only played a combined 74 defensive snaps from 2014 to 2018, it’s unlikely the Vikings take that option.
One path they could consider is shifting linebacker Eric Kendricks into the slot when the matchup works favorably — such as when the Saints position a tight end or running back into the alignment. Kendricks is widely considered to be one of the NFL’s best coverage linebackers, though he was slowed down with a quadriceps injury in recent practices. He’s also been picked on by Alvin Kamara in the past. But Minnesota might not have better choices.
With all that said: here are your official inactive reports from both the Saints and Vikings:
From the Saints
- CB Eli Apple (ankle injury)
- FB Zach Line (knee injury)
- OL Will Clapp
- OL Ethan Greenidge
- LB Manti Te’o
- DE Noah Spence
- DB D.J. Swearinger
From the Vikings
- CB Mackensie Alexander (knee injury)
- WR Laquon Treadwell
- DL Hercules Mata’afa
- DL Eddie Yarbrough
- OL Dru Samia
- OL Oli Udoh
- OL Aviante Collins
