O’Connell Unloads Rash of Vikings Injury Updates; Hints at Incoming O-Line Help

The Minnesota Vikings are getting ready for their second-straight Sunday matchup overseas, this time in London against the Cleveland Browns. No matter where this team plays games, however, the injury issues seem to follow.

And that unfortunate reality won’t change this weekend. In fact, the Vikings list of injuries in London may be longer and more concerning than any other week so far this season.

Coming out of Sunday’s loss against the Steelers, the offensive line again looks like a shell of what it was supposed to. Brian O’Neill sprained his MCL in the 1st quarter and, after Ryan Kelly suffered his second head injury in as many games over the weekend, I wouldn’t blame him if he retired tomorrow.

Minnesota Vikings head coach offers bevy of injury updates

Tuesday morning (afternoon London time), Kevin O’Connell confirmed with ESPN beat writer Kevin Seifert and other reporters gathered in the Vikings’ overseas hotel that O’Neill will not play against the Browns. On the bright side, he will not go on IR either, which lends to him being back immediately after Minnesota’s week 6 bye.

The head coach also had an unexpected update on EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel, who won’t practice this week at all, among a bevy of other injury updates and notes for media and fans to chew on with their morning coffee, back in the States.

Kevin O'Connell had some injury updates at the team hotel near London. On LB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), the team is "evaluating every avenue and all options to get him 100%." AVG won't practice this week. Neither will RT Brian O'Neill (MCL sprain). No IR for O'Neill, though.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 30, 2025

Throw Donovan Jackson’s surprise wrist surgery after week three, along with Aaron Jones’ hamstring injury and JJ McCarthy’s ankle sprain, and the Vikings will play Sunday’s game against the Browns without at least FIVE of their eleven offensive starters.

Remember that brief moment after their week 3 blowout victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, it briefly felt like the worst of Minnesota’s injury problems were finally behind them. Christian Darrisaw had just completed his first game back from knee surgery nearly one year ago.

Center Ryan Kelly — who suffered a concussion in week 2 that forced him to miss week 3, was back at practice and seemed to be progressing toward a return. Even on defense, Harrison Smith played in his first game of 2025 against the Bengals, which also featured the return of Andrew Van Ginkel.

Good news on CJ Ham, Vikings linebacker depth

That didn’t last long, huh? But stick around because KOC brought some good slightly-better news to his conversation with Seifert Tuesday afternoon (London time) in the Minnesota Vikings’ team hotel.

The team is opening the practice windows of CJ Ham and Tyler Batty, which means they are eligible to be activated at anytime in the next three weeks, depending on how their ramp up back to the practice field goes.

Seifert also added on Twitter (X) that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the MN Vikings front office are seriously considering external options to supplement the depleted offensive line.

O'Connell also said the team will open the 21-day practice windows for FB C.J. Ham and LB Tyler Batty. Front office is considering some player moves to maintain depth at offensive line. A bit of a challenge given the location, but team prepared for the possibility.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 30, 2025

JJ McCarthy returning to MN Vikings practice

After he suffered the ankle injury, KOC told reporters that JJ McCarthy will need a week or two to practice and get his feet underneath him, before the Minnesota Vikings will entertain reinserting him under center. Of course, how Wentz plays this weekend could play a factor into JJ’s return timeline too.

In the final cherry on top, O’Connell confirmed with local reporters in London, what was reported by NFL Network during the game on Sunday, which is that McCarthy is expected to return to practice this week, though he will not play in the game against Cleveland.

Finally, it seems likely that J.J. McCarthy will practice in some form toward the end of the week. But obviously he isn't a candidate to play Sunday vs. Browns.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 30, 2025