Pair of injury updates all but end Vikings' playoff hopes

Linebacker D.J. Wonnum has been one of the Vikings best defensive players this season, ranking second on the team in quarterback hits (15) and sacks (8.0), while ranking tied for second in tackles for loss (seven). 

Wonnum was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and is having arguably his best season to date with a career high 62 combined tackles and six passes defended, while his quarterback hits, sacks and tackles for loss total are all tied for the most since he joined the league.

He's also one of only 17 players this season to record a fumble return for a touchdown, scooping up a loose ball and taking it 51 yards to the house in Week 4 against the Carolina Panthers.

Tight end T.J. Hockenson is one of the top weapons on Minnesota's offense and may make his third Pro Bowl this winter. Hockenson stepped up big time during the seven-game injury absence of All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson earlier this year.

The Iowa product leads the team in targets (127), receptions (95) and receiving yards (960) and placed only second behind rookie wideout Jordan Addison in touchdown catches (five). 

Hockenson's reception total and receiving yardage were already career highs and he was one touchdown catch away from matching his previous best mark.

The Vikings (7-8) have lost two in a row and will likely need to win their final two games of the regular season and get some help in order to make the playoffs. 

The NFL.com playoff picture gives them just a 30% chance to qualify for the tournament.