MN Vikings Shuffle Roster Ahead of Giants Game

The Minnesota Vikings will play their final road game of the season on Sunday as they head to New York to face the Giants, and the trip didn’t come without complications.

Kevin O’Connell’s team was forced to turn around after their plane experienced a mechanical issue. Fortunately, everyone was safe, and the delay will only push their arrival back slightly.

Beyond the travel hiccup, the Vikings will also take the field with a reshuffled roster. Injuries have plagued the team all season, and Christian Darrisaw has now been placed on season-ending injured reserve. As a result, Minnesota will continue making weekly roster adjustments to fill out the 53-man lineup.

Reinforcements for Defense, Offense Still Banged Up

Both Gavin Bartholomew and Ty Chandler have had their 21-day practice windows opened after missing significant time, but neither has been cleared to return this week.

The #Vikings have signed CB Dwight McGlothern Jr. to the active roster and elevated LB Sione Takitaki to the active roster for tomorrow's game.

TE Gavin Bartholomew and RB Ty Chandler have been downgraded to out. pic.twitter.com/kq4KTeTgxS

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 20, 2025

On the defensive side, cornerback Dwight McGlothern Jr. and linebacker Sione Takitaki are noteworthy additions. McGlothern has appeared in eight games this season, logging 31 snaps on defense. Takitaki, a third-round pick by the Browns in 2019, played 11 games with the Patriots last season and could make his first appearance with the Vikings this week.

Minnesota selected Bartholomew in the sixth round of this year’s draft, but he has been sidelined all season and hasn’t had an opportunity to show what he can do. With uncertainty surrounding T.J. Hockenson’s future, it would have been valuable to see Bartholomew establish himself behind Josh Oliver.

Chandler has been out since the first week of the season. With Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones healthy, his role in the backfield has largely disappeared. He did contribute in the return game against Chicago, but Myles Price has since taken over most of those duties.

Minnesota can improve their record to 7-8 with a win over the Giants on Sunday. They’ll close out the season with a Christmas afternoon matchup against Detroit before hosting Green Bay in Week 18.