Vikings and Browns Release Final Week 5 Injury Reports

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Michael Jurgens, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are set to wrap up their two-week European swing with a game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The two will square off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the same English venue Minnesota knocked off the New York Jets at one year ago.

This time around, the Vikings enter as the official “away” team and their health bar is far from 100%, as the injury reports seem to grow longer with every passing week.

Three backup linemen for Minnesota Vikings

On Friday morning/afternoon (CDT/GMT), Kevin O’Connell’s wounded warriors completed their final “full” practice of the MN Vikings’ 2025 international business trip. Immediately after, they dropped yet another frustrating injury report, the final one for week 5.

It’s now official. We’ll see three backups on the starting line Sunday. (LG) Donovan Jackson underwent surgery last week, to fix a surprise wrist injury. Then on Sunday against the Steelers, (C) Ryan Kelly suffered his second concussion in as many games and Brian O’Neill sprained his MCL.

But it gets worse. Kelly’s backup at center, Michael Jurgens, is also out with a hamstring injury. That means Blake Brandel will start at center Sunday for the first time in his career.

The depth behind the starting group is virtually non-existent. We could also see recently signed tackle Matt Waletzko elevated from the practice squad. Vershon Lee and Henry Byrd are also options there. If activated, Byrd would be the only natural center Minnesota has on roster vs Cleveland.

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Center will be the third position Blake Brandel has played on the Minnesota Vikings o-line, in the past three weeks. If O’Neill’s injury winds up lasting longer than Donovan Jackson’s return, we could see Brandel get reps at right tackle before the season is over.

Carson Wentz will start behind a MN Vikings offensive line that goes Christian Darrisaw, Joe Huber, Blake Brandel, Will Fries, and Justin Skule, from left to right. That’s nothing like the five-man combination we expected to start 2025.

JJ McCarthy fails to get on practice field

Also of note in the above injury report is J.J. McCarthy’s DNP. Head coach Kevin O’Connell hinted at the return of a No. 9 red practice jersey this week in London, but that did not happen, which suggests his ankle isn’t as far along as the Vikings had hoped.

Minnesota has a Week 6 bye, following Sunday’s contest in Great Britain. While it’s still possible McCarthy returning for their return to play in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, remains to be seen.

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Andrew Van Ginkel, who has been dealing with a neck injury, will miss his third game. There is concern around insider circles that he may not be ready out of the bye, either.

Browns may miss key starters vs MN Vikings

It’s not just the Minnesota Vikings that could be down a couple of key starters on both sides of the ball this week. Cleveland Browns head coach noted that his team could face similar challenges.

Starting cornerback Greg Newsome was added to the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant. It sounds like his injury could be something stemming from Cleveland’s last game, and became bothersome as the week went on.

Starting right tackle Jack Conklin is also going to be listed as questionable. He has an elbow injury that has kept him out since Week 1, and his practice sessions were just limited this week.

Cleveland is nowhere near as banged up as Minnesota is, but down a tackle and corner, there would be additional opportunity for the Vikings to exploit their opponent.

The two teams kick off on Sunday at 8:30 am central time.

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