Kevin O’Connell Serves Up Word Salad on Key LB Availability

If you’re looking for direct and straightforward answers from leaders in this sports market, the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins probably aren’t for you. Because nobody serves up more word salad than those leading both organizations.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has gotten a mental and physical workout, answering questions about the never-ending number of injuries his roster has suffered early in the 2025 season, and he’s even shown his exhaustion at times.

Don’t expect Andrew Van Ginkel back anytime soon

But on Friday, O’Connell met with reporters, where he was asked about Andrew Van Ginkel’s injury, which has kept him out of the lineup for more games this season than he has played. When asked how close Van Ginkel is to returning, KOC went on a 107-word diatribe that categorically answered nothing.

He then followed up with a final statement to say he has no concrete update and, effectively, no idea when his starting OLB will return.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Andrew Van Ginkel's availability pic.twitter.com/ifnnSMntft

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2025

“I think he’s a guy that’s been able to continuously get the limited work in on the practice field to try and continue to stay sharp as he tries to get back into a place to be available to us. I’m encouraged by the fact that we’ve got a little bit more time this week and how Gink can possibly turn over.

When he’s available, and we can get him back out there, he’s one of those guys that is a critical part of how we want to play defense. When we can make that happen, and when that happens, will be a huge boost for us. Don’t really have an update right now on that for next week in any kind of concrete way. My hope is that we get to see Gink sooner rather than later for sure.”

Kevin O’Connell

Van Ginkel signed an extension this offseason, after a career year in 2024, but things have not gone to plan since. Andrew has played in just two games. His only start of the season was Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. He was officially held out earlier in the season, due to a concussion. His latest injury is a neck ailment.

Danielle Hunter missed the entire 2020 season with a mysterious neck injury that he couldn’t shake, an injury that multiple local reporters have referenced, when discussing Van Ginkel’s.

Minnesota Vikings need Van Ginkel back

If O’Connell is attempting to shroud mystery on Andrew Van Ginkel’s availability, heading into the Vikings’ week 8 matchup vs the Detroit Lions he’s not doing a very good job. Despite just two games of action, the Wisconsin alum has recorded two sacks.

That’s just one shy of the team lead (Jalen Redmond – 3.0) and the same amount Jonathan Greenard has in seven games. Minnesota’s front seven was supposed to be elite and make up for a secondary that was questionable at best. Early on, Brian Flores and his boys did a pretty good job.

But recently, they have faded. Without a doubt, the continued absence of Andrew Van Ginkel plays a role in that. But for now, the end of his extended absence may not be in sight. Van Ginkel signed a $23 million extension this offseason, and has a $19.4 million cap hit in 2026.