Vikings need starters to get healthy to compete

The Vikings had no trouble beating the Cardinals and the Jets, two teams with a combined 5-11 record, using a lot of backups because of several injured starters.

The injury report Thursday still lists linebacker Anthony Barr, guard Tom Compton, running back Dalvin Cook, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, nose tackle Linval Joseph, tackle Riley Reiff, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Andrew Sendejo as being limited or not participating in practice.

How many of those players suit up Sunday against the Lions, and in future weeks against tough competition, remains to be seen.

And while backups such as linebacker Eric Wilson, cornerback Holton Hill and tackle Brian O’Neill played well against the Jets…