Kirk Cousins will start vs. Packers, but Vikings offense will be missing key players

Quarterback Kirk Cousins will start for the Minnesota Vikings in Sunday’s Week 10 game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field , coach Kevin O’Connell announced Friday. Cousins, 38, practiced fully Thursday and Friday after being traded from Las Vegas to Minnesota ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline . Sunday will mark his first Vikings start since October 2023, when he tore an Achilles tendon in Green Bay . But the Vikings will be without four players: tight end T.J. Hockenson (chest/wrist), quarterback Kyler Murray (hamstring), receiver Jauan Jennings (calf) and linebacker Blake Cashman (concussion). Three others are questionable: receiver Jordan Addison (thumb), safety Joshua Metellus (shoulder) and edge rusher Kyle Van Noy (calf). Addison and Metellus were added to the injury report Friday. Advertisement Hockenson’s absence leaves the Vikings without their top two tight ends, with Josh Oliver already on injured reserve. Ben Yurosek and Gavin Bartholomew will take on larger roles. Hockenson leads the team with 35 catches for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Carson Wentz will back up Cousins with Murray sidelined. Cashman, the Vikings’ leading tackler, remains in concussion protocol. Linebacker Eric Wilson could replace him as the defense’s primary play-call communicator. The Packers ruled out four players, including running back Josh Jacobs (finger) and offensive lineman Sean Rhyan (ankle). Linebacker Zaire Franklin (shin) is doubtful, while safety Xavier McKinney (foot) and edge rusher Lukas Van Ness (back) are questionable.