The Minnesota Vikings just began their game on Sunday, and they'll be without one of their vital defensive players versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Vikings ruled out Eric Kendricks with a calf injury right as the game started.

Earlier this week on Thursday, Kendricks was a surprise name to appear on Minnesota's injury report. The veteran linebacker was dealing with a calf injury he apparently sustained at some point in the week during practice.

Despite being added to the injury report later in the week, the Vikings thought Kendricks would be active in Week 13. However, upon kickoff, Kendricks wasn't on the field and won't be available for Minnesota's defense on Sunday.

Through the first 11 games of the season, Kendricks leads the Vikings in total tackles with 107 of them. The massively underrated linebacker has also contributed three interceptions and six pass breakups in coverage this season.

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With Kendricks sidelined, the Vikings are going to lean on rookie Troy Dye and Eric Wilson more at linebacker. Veteran Todd Davis, who the team signed earlier this season, will also help fill in for Kendricks.

Seeing that the Vikings are going to be tasked with slowing down James Robinson, losing Kendricks could be a massive loss. Nevertheless, Minnesota's defense will have to do its best in playing well sans one of their cornerstone players.

Things aren't going well so far for the Vikings in this crucial game, with the Jaguars running out to an early 9-0 lead. Minnesota is 5-6 on the season and fighting for a playoff spot.