MN Vikings Pass Rusher Held Out of Practice

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Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

If there has been a constant for the Minnesota Vikings this season it’s been injuries. Each and every afternoon after a game so far in 2025, head coach Kevin O’Connell has stepped up to the press conference podium in front of the same group of reporters and delivered bad news on multiple impact Vikings players.

Even earlier this week, after we thought they had made it through a convincing victory over the Cincinnati Bengals relatively healthy, with reinforcements on the way, KOC revealed Monday afternoon that rookie left guard Donovan Jackson had undergone previously scheduled wrist surgery that morning.

The No. 23 overall pick is expected to be out through the bye week, at least. To make matters worse, on Wednesday when the official injury report came out, standout pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel was a “DNP” with a nick injury.

Andrew Van Ginkel dealing with training camp injury for MN Vikings

O’Connell reminded us that Van Ginkel’s injury is something he and the Vikings have been treating and working through since training camp. Even so, if his status isn’t upgraded on Thursday, there should be real concern about his availability for Sunday morning (local time), in Dublin.

“He came out of the game feeling good. Then he just has had some residual issues, more tied to, probably the neck I would say. He’s out of the protocol and cleared that through the medical process last week. Now we’re just working through what his week is gonna look like leading into Sunday.”

Kevin O’Connell

Van Ginkel returned to the starting lineup in Sunday’s blowout win, after missing week 2 against the Falcons with a concussion he suffered in week 1 vs the Bears. He played just 8 snaps against the Bengals, but collected 2 sacks and one additional QB hit.

Through two games this season, Van Ginkel has the pair of sacks he collected in week three, to go with seven total tackles. With Jonathan Greenard working the other side and Dallas Turner emerging as another elite pass rushing weapon, the Minnesota Vikings roster may have the most formidable group of EDGE rushers in the league.

But if Van Ginkel is unable to go, as was the case in Week 2, then Brian Flores will tap Turner to play an expanded role in Dublin. The former Alabama phenom has a single sack this season, along with nine tackles, two quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss, but his presence has been much more noticeable than 2024, if you are watching the games.

Veterans return for Minnesota Vikings offensive line

Week 3 was the 2025 debut of Christian Darrisaw on the MN Vikings offensive line. With Ryan Kelly out due to a concussion, the starting front five was not complete. Unfortunately, that will continue for the foreseeable future, as we await Jackson’s return.

Thankfully, it does sound like Ryan Kelly will start at center, down the line from Darrsaw, for the first time. If last week was any primer, that should mean good things for both Jordan Mason and Carson Wentz.

“Ryan Kelly and Justin Skule will be full participants today. Jonathan Allen will get a veteran rest day. Javon Hargrave and Andrew Van Ginkel, we’ll hold out today. We’re hoping to work them back in as the week goes on.”

Kevin O’Connell

Among the other names O’Connell mentioned, it sounds like Javon Hargrave will get right by Sunday morning. The same cannot be said for Ben Yurosek. If he is unable to go, veteran Nick Vannett will likely be elevated from the practice squad.

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