The Vikings will be without punt returner Marcus Sherels for the fifth time in the last seven games on Sunday in Jacksonville.
Sherels, whose 13.4 yards per return ranks fourth in the NFL, has been downgraded to out, the team announced Saturday. He's currently dealing with a rib injury that has sidelined him since the Vikings' Nov. 20 win against Arizona. Receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs have filled in to varying results. A Thielen fumbled return contributed to the Vikings' most recent loss against Dallas.
Sherels has also dealt with ankle and wrist injuries this season, prior to which he had not missed a game in five years.
"Since Sherels hasn't been in, the punt return game hasn't been as good," head coach Mike Zimmer said this week. "We have to correct those things, stop the penalties."
Linebacker Edmond Robinson (hamstring) was also downgraded from questionable to out on Saturday. They join center Joe Berger (concussion), safety Harrison Smith (ankle) and defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd among those ruled out against the Jaguars.
