MN Vikings Quietly Dealing with Injury to Key Starter

Plenty has been made about the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver position, and for good reason. Even with Justin Jefferson finally returning to practice, Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension looms large, especially after Jalen Nailor went down with a wrist injury that could put his week one status at risk.

Meanwhile, on the offensive line, Christian Darrisaw is recovering from knee surgery, Will Fries from a broken arm and new center Ryan Kelly has had injury issues of his own during training camp.

But offense isn’t the only side of the ball dealing with health issues. Harrison Smith has been out with what is believed to be an unknown illness and Josh Metellus hurt his shoulder during joint practices against the Patriots.

Minnesota Vikings currently practicing without Andrew Van Ginkel

And now, it appears the Minnesota Vikings injury bug has infiltrated the defensive front seven, which projects to be one of the best in football. According to Emily Leiker (Star Tribune), 2024 Pro Bowl outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, has been held out of practice since August 7 with an unknown injury for what is now going on weeks.

The Vikings were once again without outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Harrison Smith at practice. Van Ginkel has been present at practices but in street clothes since Aug. 7; his injury is unknown. Smith has been absent from practices since Aug. 11 with what O’Connell said Aug. 13 is an illness.

Emily Leiker – Star Tribune

This offseason the MN Vikings handed Andrew Van Ginkel — who signed last offseason as a Miami Dolphins castoff — a shiny contract extension. Van Ginkel came in having familiarity with Brian Flores’ schemes.

Immediately upon his arrival, the former Wisconsin Badger thrived, posting a career-best 11.5 sacks, to go with 2 interceptions (both of which he returned for a TD), 79 tackles and 19 QB hits in 2024, his first season wearing purple.

Closing out the 1st half with a sack.@AndrewVanGinkel

📺: @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/04gVd8fFnz

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 22, 2024

Van Ginkel, H. Smith preparing for week one vs Bears

Plenty has been made about Dallas Turner and where the 2024 first round pick’s reps will come from. If Van Ginkel is going to miss time during the regular season, he would conceivably be the next man up. Thankfully, that is not expected to be the case.

Van Ginkel has been incredibly durable over the duration of his career. He has played in every game since the 2020 season, and is someone that can relied upon on a weekly basis. It’s interesting that Minnesota has yet to provide a public injury designation here, but hopefully it’s nothing overly serious.

Related: Harrison Smith MIA from MN Vikings Camp

Also noted by Leiker, Harrison Smith continues to be absent from practice. He is apparently dealing with an illness severe enough that he hasn’t been around the facility for over a week.

He too is expected to be ready by week one, when the MN Vikings kick off their regular season September 8 on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field, against their NFC North division rival Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.