Initial Week 9 Vikings Injury Report Looks Pretty Darn Clean
The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for one of their most difficult tests of the 2025 season, thus far, a week 9 road test against the division-leading Detroit Lions with redshirt rookie JJ McCarthy returning to play his first game back after five weeks (plus a bye) off nursing a high ankle sprain that is now 100%.
One day removed from head coach Kevin O’Connell naming JJ McCarthy as the Vikings starter for Sunday, Minnesota’s first injury report of week 9 released on Wednesday afternoon. And not only was JJ McCarthy a full-go today, but so too were starting OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Neck) and LT Christian Darrisaw (Knee).
Minnesota Vikings looking healthier in early week 9 injury report
Notably, OLB Jonathan Greenard (Ankle), RT Brian O’Neill (Knee) and CB Isaiah Rodgers (Shoulder) were all limited at today’s practice. FB C.J. Ham (Hand), CB Jeff Okudah (Concussion) and TE Josh Oliver (Foot) did not practice.
| Player | Injury | Wed. Status |
|---|---|---|
| CJ Ham (FB) | Hand | DNP |
| Jeff Okudah (CB) | Concussion | DNP |
| Josh Oliver (TE) | Foot | DNP |
| Jonathan Greenard (OLB) | Ankle | Limited |
| Brian O’Neill (RT) | Knee | Limited |
| Isaiah Rodgers (CB) | Shoulder | Limited |
| Christian Darrisaw (LT) | Knee | Full |
| JJ McCarthy (QB) | Ankle | Full |
| Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB) | Neck | Full |
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This is one of the more positive injury reports that the Minnesota Vikings have had all season. JJ McCarthy, we know will be under center on Sunday, barring some sort of freak injury or setback on his ankle.
Meanwhile, Christian Darrisaw spoke with reporters this week and told them that the original timeline on his knee injury was 12 months, which he is still ahead of. That’s why, according to Darrisaw, he and the team have been so cautious with his return. We will see how limited he is tomorrow, after a full day of practice today.
Return of Andrew Van Ginkel incoming…?
The best news on this report is Andrew Van Ginkel. His status is supposed to be very much up in the air for Sunday. After a full day of practice, right after he told reporters that he hopes to play on Sunday in Detroit, bodes well toward his availability.
Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) spoke to reporters today for the first time since he last played in Week 3. He said it’s his goal to play Sunday but not a certainty. Would not detail the injury nor say whether he needs surgery.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 29, 2025
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Until we hear otherwise, I am assuming Brian O’Neill will be returning to the MN Vikings o-line this week too. As long as he can practice, at least in a limited fashion for most of the week, he’ll probably be on the field.
But again, practice schedules for injured players have been weird for the Vikings all season long, so we’ll see what Thursday brings. O’Neill and Darrisaw both know how badly JJ McCarthy needs them both to be part of his protection package vs the Lions and Aidan Hutchinson.
If all of the limited/full participants at Wednesday’s Minnesota Vikings practice — including Isaiah Rodgers and Jonathan Greenard — can suit up in Detroit four days from now, it will be a much different team that takes to Ford Field, than what we saw one week ago in LA vs the Chargers.
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