New MN Vikings Injury Report: Worrisome News on Defense, More Help on Offense?

The Minnesota Vikings are preparing to board their flight to Dublin, as I write this on Thursday afternoon. They will arrive at their destination tonight, around midnight CDT. Hopefully they can sleep on the plane, because when they touchdown in Ireland, it will be 6 a.m. local time and the sun will just be starting to poke out over the horizon.

While most of the team is focused on being ready for a football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers about 36 hours after they lost six of what would normally be sleeping hours, there will be a few players just hoping to have their bodies physically ready for action by kickoff.

And the injury updates coming out of the Vikings’ final practice in America, before their two-weekend business trip, isn’t exactly an upgrade from the disappointing injury report that dropped one day earlier.

Minnesota Vikings injury report Thursday brings bad news on Andrew Van Ginkel

According to Emily Leiker (Star Tribune), C.J. Ham — who is eligible to return to the active roster this week — was on the field working out with a training. Javon Hargrave — who missed Wednesday’s practice with a rib injury — was back on the field with teammates.

Unfortunately, starting EDGE Andrew Van Ginkel was not. His absence was confirmed shortly after Emily’s tweet, when Thursday’s official injury report dropped.

Of note from today’s Vikings practice, the last in Eagan before team departs for Dublin:

— C.J. Ham (knee) was on the rehab field working out with a trainer. He’ll be eligible for return from IR after Sunday.
— No Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), but Javon Hargrave (ribs) was out there

— emily leiker (@emleiker) September 25, 2025

Thursday's #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/zDlBCXJeiU

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 25, 2025

Being listed as a “DNP” on the first injury report of the week is not worth sounding the alarm over. That first practice is often used as a rest day for veteran players who might be banged up. Missing two straight practices to start the week, however, is much more concerning.

Other Vikings injuries

We knew Javon Hargrave would likely progress through the week and be ready to play Sunday. The head coach told reporters after week 3 that the Minnesota Vikings’ new defensive tackle could have returned to the game vs Cincinnati, had the team needed him.

With Donovan Jackson out, the offense could really use CJ Ham’s services both in run block and pass pro. He was not listed on the official report, which has to be good news.

Christian Darrisaw did not practice, but his official listing was just for rest, meaning the Minnesota Vikings are keeping their one day on, one day off practice schedule with their superstar left tackle, who returned from 2024 knee surgery in week 3.

Dallas Turner’s time to shine…?

If Andrew Van Ginkel cannot go against the Pittsburgh Steelers, most of his workload will likely be passed off to 2024 first round pick Dallas Turner, who totalled 5 tackles and 4 QB hurries last weekend, scoring his best PFF grade of the season, with 55.7.

Van Ginkel played just 8 total snaps last weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals, somehow still managing 2 sacks, an additional QB Hit and a 72.6 PFF grade, with his limited playing time. But it’s worth remembering that the Wisconsin alum is not dealing with the same injury he was last week.

Instead, Van Ginkel was listed on Wednesday’s injury report with a neck injury, not concussion. It’s a lingering injury that head coach Kevin O’Connell says the 2024 Pro Bowler has been battling since training camp. His status for Sunday morning took a major hit this afternoon, however.