Souhan: Injury-plagued Vikings need a spark from these six players

WARE, ENGLAND — On the pastoral portion of the long drive from London to the Vikings’ team hotel in Ware, there was a sign. Not temporary. Quite affixed. It read: “Queues likely.”

That was a polite, British way of saying: “There will be traffic jams here frequently, and don’t expect us to do anything about it.”

When the Vikings fans were dreaming of J.J. McCarthy becoming the next Patrick Mahomes and the 2025 team storming to the Super Bowl, someone should have held up a sign. Not temporary. Quite affixed. It should have read: “Injuries likely.”

The Vikings are in England this week, minding the gap between optimistic expectations and painful reality, the latter being that injuries have reduced their margin for error as they prepare to play Cleveland on Sunday.

This means that a handful of less-celebrated players might have to make the difference if the Vikings are to head into their bye week with hope.

He’s a blocking tight end on a team with plenty of more dynamic skill position players. He played 21 snaps against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That wasn’t enough.

The Vikings’ depth of receiving talent matters only when the offensive line gives the quarterback time to survey the field. The offensive line, with three starters out because of injury, isn’t currently capable of affording that luxury to Carson Wentz.

Oliver said he has never played offensive line but that he would be willing to do so. “Whatever the team wants, I’ll be there and do it,” he said.

Most of the Vikings’ injuries this season have exposed a lack of depth. When starting running back Aaron Jones was injured, two excellent alternatives replaced him.

Jordan Mason is an outstanding runner. Zavier Scott, against the Steelers, displayed outstanding receiving skills to go with his forceful running style.

The Vikings will need power running and quick passing to thwart the Browns’ pressure. There is nothing more useful to a quarterback under pressure than a back who can catch a pass in the flat, or on a screen, and produce first downs. Scott looks like he’s capable of excelling in that role.

He has played like a star the last two weeks, producing two touchdowns, two forced fumbles, an interception and a blocked field goal. He might be the fastest player on the roster, and his speed and skill are crucial right now because the rest of the Vikings secondary has been less than dynamic.

Safety Harrison Smith, who missed the first two games of the season with an ailment, was limited Sunday.

If someone in the Vikings secondary is going to make a big play, Rodgers is the most likely candidate. “He does a lot of things really well,” Smith said. “And he’s got a very nice demeanor on the field.”

This year, we’re seeing the Vikings defense become vulnerable to the run when linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is out. Last year, the defense struggled to control the middle of the field when linebacker Blake Cashman was out.

Now they’re both out. Backup Eric Wilson has made a few plays, but Pace, in his third NFL season, is now the only veteran starting linebacker other than edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. The Vikings need much more from Pace until Cashman returns.

Price, who made the team because of his strong returns in training camp and preseason games, has continued to look like a breakaway threat.