Vikings QB Jaren Hall to start vs. Packers, Mullens benched

The Minnesota Vikings are making yet another quarterback change.

Vikings rookie quarterback Jaren Hall will get his second start of his career on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers, head coach Kevin O'Connell announced Thursday afternoon.

The move brings quarterback Nick Mullens back to the bench after his four interception performance on Christmas Eve in a 30-24 loss to the Detroit Lions.

O'Connell said ball security was a major reason for Mullens moving down the depth chart, as he threw six interceptions in two games despite throwing for over 700 yards.

Mullens is the fourth quarterback to have been removed as the starting quarterback this week, joining Russell Wilson, Tommy DeVitto and Sam Howell on the bench. He is also the 13th confirmed backup quarterback to be starting a game this week.

Hall started one game for the Vikings in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, but was taken out of the game early with a concussion after throwing just six passes.

The Vikings have had a carousel of quarterbacks since losing starter Kirk Cousins to a torn Achilles' injury in late October. Minnesota has since juggled starts from Joshua Dobbs and Nick Mullens, both who have now been benched for poor play.

Minnesota (7-8) is still in the playoff hunt, as it currently holds the eighth spot in the NFC, but will enter Sunday's crucial tilt shorthanded. Star tight end T.J. Hockenson was ruled out for the remainder of the season after tearing his ACL against the Lions, and receiver Jordan Addison may be inactive with an ankle injury, despite O'Connell calling him "day-to-day."

The divisional showdown between the Vikings and the Packers will be a de facto elimination game, as a loss to either team drastically lower the possibility of grabbing a wild card spot in a tight NFC playoff race.