There’s also the exciting reality that J.J. McCarthy will be back under center for the first time since Week 2. Minnesota’s presumed quarterback of the future is locked in as the starter, and Carson Wentz is out of the picture after undergoing season-ending surgery.

As has been the case all season, it comes down to who will be protecting the signal caller.

Linemen continue to highlight MN Vikings injury report

The Vikings spent a substantial amount of money on the offensive line this offseason. They intended to have a beefed up front, and things have not gone according to plan. Injury and availability has been at the crux of the problem, and concerns remain for Week 9.

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

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 30, 2025

Local insider Darren “Doogie” Wolfson has reported that Brian O’Neill will play on Sunday against the Detroit Lions. That would seem to have given Minnesota a chance at a nearly-complete offensive line. That was until Christian Darrisaw popped up on the injury report and didn’t practice on Thursday.

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert is reporting that Darrisaw’s knee issue is not simply a day of rest as was the case earlier this season. The star left tackle underwent season-ending surgery last year, took two weeks to appear in a game this season, and missed last Thursday’s contest.

It is a certainty that veteran fullback C.J. Ham will not play for the Vikings on Sunday. He missed the first four games of the season spending that time on injured reserve. He then missed last week’s contest and will now be out for a second straight game due to a hand injury.

#Vikings FB CJ Ham wont play this Sunday against the #Lions, @DWolfsonKSTP mentioned via @SKORNorth.

Ham has now missed 2 straight games, and was seen wearing a bulky wrap on his hand a week ago 👇 pic.twitter.com/7vlsvy51Qn

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 30, 2025

Jonathan Greenard, who has been on the injury report, will be back out there against Detroit. That’s a positive with Andrew Van Ginkel getting in a second-straight full practice. The tandem of edge rushers should help each other thrive if both can be on the field at the same time.

Neither Jeff Okudah or Josh Oliver were on the field again Thursday. Okudah is dealing with his second concussion this season. That could mean another elevation for practice squad veteran Fabian Moreau.

The Minnesota Vikings are nearly double-digit underdogs against the Lions, and they’ll have their hands full if an upset is in the cards.

Set to square off against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday Night Football, it’ll be the Carson Wentz show for the fifth-consecutive game.

There wasn’t supposed to be a ton of ambiguity on the injury front, and it didn’t look like there would be after Tuesday’s practice.

But then Wednesday’s injury report reared its head and a surprise name was listed at the very bottom, stud left tackle, Christian Darrisaw.

The #Vikings final Week 8 injury report pic.twitter.com/LRP011ka49

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 22, 2025

Problems on the Minnesota Vikings O-line once again

The Minnesota Vikings offensive line has failed to stay healthy all season, through six games. In fact, they have yet to run out the group of five they invested a ton of money and draft capital into the past few years.

And according to Kevin Seifert (ESPN), the o-line is in danger of losing its best starter yet again against the Chargers.

Christian Darrisaw took regularly scheduled days off from practice before the bye and took himself out of the Browns game as he worked back from his ACL/MCL injury. But he played every snap vs. Eagles. If this were a rest day, the report would have said "not injury related." https://t.co/piXfi2H0iw

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 22, 2025

Both Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw played for the Vikings last week, after both had to sit games out earlier in the season.

O’Neill didn’t practice Tuesday, before returning in a limited capacity on Wednesday. Darrisaw went from not having a designation on Tuesday, to being a non-participant today.

Christian Darrisaw in real danger of missing TNF

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert is reporting that “Darrisaw needed some treatment this week on the knee after playing 69 snaps versus Eagles.” It’s not something that should linger long-term, but it could be an issue on the short week.

What I’ve gleaned from a few sources: Darrisaw needed some treatment this week on the knee after playing 69 snaps vs Eagles. (He actually said as much in the locker room Tuesday.) No huge concerns, but also no guarantee he can make the quick turn on the short week. TBD. https://t.co/BXZ9k0QnVC

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 22, 2025

If either (or god forbid) both MN Vikings tackles are going to miss the contest against the Chargers, then Carson Wentz could be in for a world of hurt tomorrow evening.

Christian Darrisaw already missed the first two games of the season, as he worked back from his 2024 season-ending knee injury.

C.J. Ham is already ruled out for Week 8. He returned in Week 5 after starting the year on the injured list. Ham played 12 offensive snaps last week against the Eagles, but won’t be available against the Chargers.

Aaron Jones is also back on the practice field and it should be expected that he’ll play against the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday. Continuity can’t be expected for the offensive line though, and that’s been a problem all year.

Brian O’Neill back on the MN Vikings injury report

On Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, Brian O’Neill was a game-time decision. Ultimately he was on the field and returned from his sprained MCL. He played all 69 snaps on Sunday, but has logged his second DNP of the week.

Tuesday's #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/T7kEwNdlo5

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 21, 2025

It could simply be Minnesota giving O’Neill time to rest as he continues to recover from the knee injury. Kevin O’Connell hasn’t specifically noted his absence, so that seems to be good news. Obviously Wednesday’s report will indicate his game status, and it should be questionable at best.

It’s a good thing that Wentz is back to practicing in a full capacity, especially with him having been named the starter. He has been dealing with a non-throwing shoulder injury, and took plenty of hits against the Eagles. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggested it may be time for the Vikings to look at undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.

C.J. Ham, who spent time on injured reserve this season, was also a DNP alongside O’Neill. If O’Neill is being given additional rest days, that’s probably the plan for Ham too. With Andrew Van Ginkel continuing to log limited practices with no substantial updates, he should be expected to be out for another week as well.

Minnesota kicks off as 3.5 point underdogs on the road against Los Angeles on Thursday night. They’ll need a win to avoid their first losing record of the season.

With the amount of players questionable to participate in practice this week, Minnesota signed hometown tackle Matt Waletzko and had him fly across the pond. He is currently a member of the practice squad, but that could change if the week doesn’t progress well for active roster talent.

Wednesday’s injury report doesn’t inspire a lot of immediate confidence.

Top two centers down for Minnesota Vikings

Christian Darrisaw has now been back for two weeks after the Minnesota Vikings gave him additional time to return from his knee surgery. Unfortunately he has yet to play with the complete intended offensive line and that won’t be changing any time soon. The first injury report of the week revealed he may be playing alongside a third string center too.

The #Vikings first injury report of Week 5 pic.twitter.com/otdJtyftoI

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 1, 2025

Ryan Kelly is certain to be out this week as he works through the concussion protocol for the second time in four weeks. It’s his fifth recorded concussion in his playing career, and at some point the repeated brain injuries become a serious cause for concern.

That would make Michael Jurgens the next man up. He has started a game already this season in place of Kelly, but if he’s out, then things get really dicey. The hamstring injury is presumably a malady he suffered during the Steelers game, though he was able to play through it.

Minnesota’s depth chart doesn’t list a third center. With Justin Skule filling in for O’Neill at right tackle, and Blake Brandel assuming Donovan Jackson’s guard spot, options as a whole are limited. Tackle Walter Rouse, and undrafted rookie guard Joe Huber are the only other linemen on the 53-man roster.

The practice squad, beyond Waltezko, includes only two linemen in Henry Byrd (G) and Vershon Lee (OL). Lee is a rookie yet to appear in a game, and Byrd has one year of experience while making his regular season debut against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Week must progress positively for Minnesota

This is an important week of practice for Minnesota as they look to get healthier going into the bye. There is hope that J.J. McCarthy can run the scout team at the end of the week, and that would put him on track to return after the Week 6 bye. His athleticism can also help to mimic new Browns starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

Both C.J. Ham and Tyler Batty had their practice windows opened. Batty is an edge rusher, so he won’t help on the offensive line, but with Andrew Van Ginkel out, addition help in the front seven is welcomed.

Minnesota elevated veteran tight end Nick Vannett from the practice squad for the game against Pittsburgh with Ben Yurosek out. He remains on the shelf to start the week, and another activation for Vannett would be the third and final time that can happen before he must be signed to the active roster.

It seems like the MN Vikings bye is coming at the perfect time. They just need to get through the Browns with a win, and healthy, before getting there.

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

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.

Obviously, the Vikings will need other tight ends — Josh Oliver, Nick Muse Johnny Mundt — to step up. But some of TJ’s production could be put on the shoulders of one unlikely source, too.

Minnesota Vikings to feature C.J. Ham in Hockenson’s absence?

Undrafted out of Division II Augustana (Sioux Falls, SD), the local kid out of Duluth, MN has spent the entirety of his seven-year professional career with the Minnesota Vikings. In 2024, fullback isn’t even a position every team employs, anymore.

That’s the opposite in Minnesota. C.J. Ham was drafted by the Rick Spielman + Mike Zimmer regime. But even under pass-happy, modernistic play caller and head coach, Kevin O’Connell, Ham has stuck around.

In his latest 53-man roster prediction, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis writes that, not only is Ham a “shoo-in” to make the final roster, but the Minnesota Vikings insider bets (or would bet) that the fullback’s snap count “will climb noticeably”, while T.J. Hockenson is sidelined.

There won’t be much deliberation here. Aaron Jones, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu and C.J. Ham are shoo-ins. Jones and Chandler will shoulder the bulk of the rushing workload, and if I were a betting man, I’d wager Ham’s offensive snap count will climb noticeably — at least until T.J. Hockenson returns.

Alec Lewis on C.J. Ham’s role for the Minnesota Vikings at The Athletic

Last season Ham had just a single rushing attempt in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. He was targeted nine times and hauled in seven of those passes. His 32 total yards were the lowest mark of his career. Ham still made the Pro Bowl for his overall contributions, but the offensive impact has nowhere to go but up.

Related: Former NFL GM Urges Vikings to Trade for… Mr. Unlimited?

Ham may find himself split out, or starting on the line, in order to provide quarterback Sam Darnold some additional looks. As a fullback it doesn’t take a substantial amount of receiving production to move the needle.

C.J. Ham has never ran for more than 149 yards in a season. His best receiving total ever, was 34 yards, back in 2021. But it sounds like he could threaten both of those career highs in 2024, now that he will stack up extra snaps early on, while Sam Darnold is still getting used to KOC’s offense (and looking for dump off options).

C.J. Ham’s usage could result in career year

Hockenson will be out for a handful of weeks, and the Vikings may roster just three other tight ends. The wide receiver room is top heavy, but Jordan Addison might not be ready to go for Week 1, and could face a suspension. In the backfield, Aaron Jones has an injury history, and Kene Nwangwu is unproven.

CJ Ham vs. Patrick Ricard is the fullback beef battle we all deserve pic.twitter.com/xmIDgtNrue

— Christian D'Andrea (@TrainIsland) November 7, 2021

Ham is a veteran commodity for O’Connell, but hasn’t been unleashed much. He could find himself in an opportune scenario to contribute both on the ground and through the passing game. At the very least, the veteran will look to take pressure off of quarterback Sam Darnold.

Related: Jordan Addison Dealing With Significant Ankle Sprain

The Vikings may need to piece their playmakers together for the first few weeks. That could result in more arrows pointing towards the favorite fullback.