Vikings Claim Extremely Familiar QB; Injury Report Changes Slightly

A Christmas Day game on Netflix against the 2024 NFC North champions offered the Minnesota Vikings a luscious opportunity at the end of 2025 to cement themselves as a problem, both now and in the future, within what looked preseason to be one of the better divisions in football.

That’s not how reality unfolded, however. After the MN Vikings were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago, not even building on their current three-game win streak can save them.

To add injury to insult, JJ McCarthy is back on the shelf, this time recovering from a hairline fracture in his hand. So, instead of Vikings fans unwrapping a huge game with playoff implications on their TV, Christmas Day, they’ll get a mostly meaningless regular season game against Detroit.

A win would, however, end the (8-7) Lions’ hopes at making the playoffs. I, for one, would certainly feel a little bit better knowing Detroit fans will be living in the same non-playoff hell as us, come the new year.

Minnesota Vikings injury report sees SLIGHT change

And hanging in our stockings, Thursday afternoon will be coal Max Brosmer starting under center, protected by an offensive line without starters at LT, C and possibly RT, depending on the status of Brian O’Neill, who moved from “DNP” to “Limited” on the MN Vikings injury report Tuesday.

Tuesday's #Vikings injury report.

The team did not conduct an official practice so participation is an estimation. pic.twitter.com/R91ZADUOEm

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 23, 2025

In total, the Minnesota Vikings have 11 players listed on this week’s injury report. From Monday to Tuesday, only one player saw his designation change, and that was O’Neill. The rest, including four other DNP’s from yesterday, got the same designation today.

Out of those players who were limited or did not practice, eight are starters, if you include both Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones, who split carries out of Minnesota’s backfield.

Of those eight starters, two — the aforementioned JJ McCarthy (hand) and Ryan Kelly (concussion) — have already been ruled out vs Detroit. The MN Vikings also activated running back/kick return specialist, Ty Chandler off injured reserve Tuesday.

Brett Rypien claimed off waivers

Returning to help guide Brosmer the rest of this week is familiar NFL journeyman quarterback, Brett Rypien, Who the Vikings claimed off waivers Tuesday afternoon, around the same time they released the updated injury report.

The #Vikings have claimed QB Brett Rypien via waivers. pic.twitter.com/cxhUt3OxYb

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 23, 2025

Rypien became available after he was released by the Indianapolis Colts on Monday. That gave the Minnesota Vikings an easy opportunity to bring the 29-year-old veteran out of Boise State back to Eagan where he belongs.

Brett is valued inside the QB room at TCO Performance Center. Given their sudden depth issues at the most important position in sports, not only does he help provide more but his experience in the league will also help a young Max Brosmer be as prepared as possible for his second career.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Activate Young Running Back

It’s unlikely Brett Rypien — who has 11 appearances during his five-year NFL career — is active on Thursday, outside of being the emergency QB3. The expectation is that John Wolford will be Brosmer’s backup at U.S. Bank Stadium on Thursday.

If he does get forced into action for the Minnesota Vikings, whether it’s this week or next, Rypien would come in with 950 career passing yards (58.3% CMP), 4 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.