Bittersweet Vikings Injury Update After First Practice in Dublin

The Minnesota Vikings flew out of Minneapolis Thursday evening. But when they stepped off the plane 7.5 hours later in Dublin, it was already Friday morning. The sun — which rises six hours earlier in Ireland than back in the Twin Cities — was up and traffic was already filling the streets.

Instead of trying to catch up on sleep, though, the Vikings took a different approach — moving quickly to get players into their hotel rooms and out onto the practice field ASAP. The objective was to make it through the first day of the trip without sleeping off the time change.

And just like the game time later this weekend, which kicks off at 8:30 a.m. (CDT), the Vikings’ Dublin-timed itinerary Friday meant earlier than normal updates from practice, back in the states..

Final MN Vikings injury report (week 4): Andrew Van Ginkel – OUT

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the positive news we Minnesotans were waiting next to the mailbox for. Andrew Van Ginkel missed practice for the third-straight day, and has been ruled out vs the Steelers. Nobody should be surprised by today’s official announcement, but it’s undoubtedly disappointing.

On the bright side, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave — who the Vikings signed this offseason as a feature free agent — practiced in-full on Friday and enters the weekend without an injury designation. He had been limited at practice all week.

#MINvsPIT final injury report

OUT: Donovan Jackson, J.J. McCarthy, Andrew Van Ginkel and Ben Yurosek pic.twitter.com/HGfsT1bqAE

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 26, 2025

Andrew Van Ginkel’s absence from the active roster on Sunday will be his second in four games. Last week, he was limited to just 8 snaps, which he used to attain his first two sacks of 2025. No doubt, Aaron Rodgers will sleep easier tonight, after he threw a pick-six to Van Ginkel in London last season.

The Minnesota Vikings will now rely more on Dallas Turner to provide them talent on the edge defensively vs Pittsburgh. Drafted with the No. 17 overall pick in 2024, Turner is coming off what might have been his best game as a pro, against the Bengals — 34 snaps, 5 tackles, 4 QB hurries, 1 QB hit, 66.7 PFF Grade.

Dallas Turner had a great game on Sunday in all facets. He's doing everything well, and his instincts are improving each week pic.twitter.com/PeqxbWZThX

— Tyler Forness (@TheRealForno) September 22, 2025

In theory, the MN Vikings intentional approach to avoid sleep today should make players and coaches extra-tired before hitting their hotel pillows tonight.

The hope is that they wake up feeling refreshed on Saturday, for what they hope will be a normal (as possible) day-before-game routine. It’s the same type of approach they took to their one-weekend London trip in 2024.