O’Connell Gives Major Update on Key Vikings Starters

We are quickly closing in on the Minnesota Vikings Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears, where the eyes of the nation will be on redshirt rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy, as he get set to make his NFL debut under the bright lights of Monday Night Football.

The Vikings are coming off a 14-win season, with a rehabilitated Sam Darnold under center, who they let leave this offseason. Kevin O’Connell’s decision to ride McCarthy blind into 2025 has turned Monday’s opener into arguably the most intriguing in recent franchise history.

It’s ok to have incredibly high expectations on JJ McCarthy

-he was a 4 star recruit out of HS who went to Michigan
-he won the national title at Michigan
-he was a top 12 pick in the NFL draft

We SHOULD fully expect him to have a very good season. @Vikings

— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) September 3, 2025

During the last month of training camp, however, it hasn’t been McCarthy’s repaired meniscus drawing questions, Instead, injury uncertainties and depth issues have risen across the roster, around the young franchise QB.

It got so bad at WR — after Jordan Addison was suspended for the first three games of the season and Jalen Nailor hurt his wrist at joint practices a few weeks ago — that the Vikings sent the equivelent of a 4th round pick out to Carolina, in order to bring Adam Thielen home.

On defense, Minnesota has practiced without two of crucial pieces of Brian Flores’ 2025 defense. Andrew Van Ginkel has been dealing with an injury and hasn’t been suited up at TCO Performance Center since August 7. Meanwhile, Harrison Smith has been absent nearly as long, due to a mysterious illness we know few details about.

Kevin O’Connell gives Minnesota Vikings week one injury update

Now less than a week away from Monday night’s opener, the Minnesota Vikings finally have some good news on the injury front. On Wednesday afternoon, O’Connell met with media for the first time this week, where he revealed the latest update on both Van Ginkel and Smith. In short, both guys are ready to go.

.@Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell just shared “all took part in walkthrough,” which means Gink et al back in action.
Also shared Harrison Smith took part in walkthrough but won’t practice. Baby steps, and great to see whatever is happening w/ Hitman seems to be subsiding.… pic.twitter.com/kLJWkEVxrs

— Paul Allen (@PAOnTheMic) September 3, 2025

Andrew Van Ginkel signed a contract extension this offseason, and is looking to build on a career-best 11.5 sacks in 2024. Harrison Smith, after taking about a month to ponder retirement, is back for the 15th season of his NFL career, in hopes of advancing to the Super Bowl for the first time.

This is big news for the Minnesota Vikings’ defense, which despite the aging nature of both players, absolutely need them on the field. Without a doubt, this is the best front seven Brian Flores has had to work with, since taking over as defensive coordinator two years ago.

The same cannot be said for his 2025 secondary, which is by far the most unproven piece of Minnesota’s new-look defense. Thus, it is very important that the 36-year-old 6x Pro Bowler is available and feeling at or near 100%. Flores and his defensive teammates will rely on him heavily, both pre and post snap vs the Bears.

Offensive injuries trending the right way too

It’s not just the defense where head coach Kevin O’Connell feels confident going into the final preparations for the Chicago Bears. Justin Jefferson missed substantial time during training camp with a hamstring injury, and Christian Darrisaw underwent surgery for his knee injury last year. He is excited about where both are at.

Since the #Vikings ended the preseason, Justin Jefferson has "really capitalized" on his time to get ready for the season after his left hamstring strain, Kevin O’Connell said.

"It wasn't just in recovery mode and getting back to a certain baseline. He elevated that baseline by…

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) September 3, 2025

Related: MN Vikings First Depth Chart Reveals Some Answers, More Questions

While Jefferson has missed substantial time at training camp this summer, the assumption has always been a return for Monday, September 8. Of course, hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, which is why Justin and the Vikings plan to rehab and pay extra close attention to that hammy throughout the season.

Justin Jefferson is coming off a full 2024 season. Still, memories from 2023 — when he was limited to just 10 games due to a different hamstring injury — remain fresh in his mind. The Vikings need Jettas on the field, as does his redshirt rookie QB.

But let’s not forget the individual accolades Jefferson has been eyeing since game one of his first year in the league. You can’t chase down the records of Randy Moss and Jerry Rice, if you can’t stay on the field.

It also appears LT Christian Darrisaw is trending the right way, too. But O’Connell made it clear that the Minnesota Vikings will be smart with the 26-year-old left-side bookend. The Super Bowl isn’t won in Week 1, but the wrong week one injury could lose it for you.

Kevin O'Connell has mentioned several times the need to be "smart" when it comes to getting Darrisaw back on the field. He'll take most if not all of the reps in practice today but the decision isn't just based on Week 1. https://t.co/IPcPyfW1Yc

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 3, 2025