Unfortunately, there were no late game heroics this time around. In fact, quite the opposite. The reality after week two for Minnesota is that J.J. McCarthy continues to look more lost than found, in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s 4D chess-style offense.

Then, you beyond the play of our redshirt rookie, to a roster that’s being attacked by early-season injuries (and a mysterious illness) that seem to take a new starter off the depth chart on a near daily basis.

Injuries piling up for MN Vikings in a bad way

But without a doubt, the injury fallout from Sunday night’s loss was the worst of them all.

On defense, (OLB) Jonathan Greenard was removed (oblique), though he did return. 2024 UDFA OLB Gabe Murphy — who was elevated to help fill in for an injured Andrew Van Ginkel — left with a knee injury.

On offense, both C Ryan Kelly and backup LT Justin Skule left early with concussions. RB Aaron Jones was removed with a hamstring injury.

Not looking good for Gabe Murphy. Lots of Vikings players looking pretty distraught.

— Eric Thompson (@eric_j_thompson) September 15, 2025

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell says C Ryan Kelly has a concussion. Justin Skule has a concussion. Jonathan Greenard had oblique injury. Aaron Jones will be evaluated for a hamstring. Gabe Murphy’s MCL will be evaluated.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) September 15, 2025

None of the aforementioned offensive players were able to return and O’Connell is expecting Jones to miss Sunday vs Cincinnati.

If the two linemen play, we won’t know until late in the week. But the Vikings do not like to push concussions, so we are ruling them both out until further notice.

Biggest injury shocker of the year so far: JJ McCarthy

By the time the game ended on Sunday night, O’Connell’s team had added even more key players to the growing list of unavailable talent.

But the biggest surprise came during KOC’s press conference on Monday, when he announced that JJ McCarthy will miss at least one game (reportedly more) due to a sprained ankle. That makes recently acquired Carson Wentz the Vikings’ temporary starter.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell has announced J.J. McCarthy has an ankle sprain and he will more than likely miss the team's Week 3 game against Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/01AhkeMpRK

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2025

Since training camp started, injuries have been a problem for the Minnesota Vikings, and they only seem to have gotten worse since the season started.

Latest injuries only make health matters worse

Entering week two, Minnesota was already without key starters. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah joined Christian Darrisaw, Harrison Smith, Blake Cashman (IR) and Ty Chandler (IR).

It’s expected that 2024 seventh round pick Michael Jurgens will fill in for Ryan Kelly. At left tackle, they just have to hope Darrisaw is ready to return.

Aaron Jones’ injury will mean more run for Jordan Mason, who’s outplayed his backfield PIC anyway. Still, don’t be surprised if the Vikings look for more RB help. Maybe another transaction involving Cam Akers…?

Related: What We Learned About Vikings in Lullaby Loss vs Falcons

Sunday was just one loss, and most of their issues are correctable. But it’s going to get increasingly difficult to play better with all these injuries.

Who knows, after Sunday’s game against the Falcons, TCO Performance Center may just be converted into an infirmary.

That’s what happens every year, as NFL front offices attempt to predict which of their depth players they can clear waivers and be snuck onto a practice squad vs those who will be claimed by opponents, for their 53-man roster.

And that brings us to Wednesday, where hundreds of NFL players are currently traveling through the waiver market. A few of the players who were cut yesterday have found their way to the MN Vikings practice squad already, and more names will continue to trickle in, as the day goes by.

Minnesota Vikings practice squad additions – 2025

Every NFL team is allotted 16 practice squad spots, along with one international exemption, which Minnesota plans to use on Australian punter, Oscar Chapman. Here are the players who have reportedly cleared waivers and plan to sign on the Vikings practice squad. As more names come out, they will be added.

It’s a bit surprising that Gabe Murphy cleared waivers, but the fact he did allows insight into why they decided to cut him on Tuesday. The preseason standout saw lots of reps with the first team during training camp, and until the past 48 hours — seemed like a lock to make the final roster. Now, we know why he didn’t

Taki Taimani clearing waivers is a bit surprising too. Like Murphy, he has already logged NFL snaps, during his UDFA rookie season. The Minnesota Vikings were high on him, coming into camp, but the additions of Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen during the offseason, made him expendable.

Nonetheless, Brian Flores & the defensive coaching staff has to be pretty happy they’re getting all three of Murphy, Vaughn and Taimani back at TCO Performance Center.

But for those inside of TCO Performance Center, this week is much more important. Not only do they have another preseason game on Saturday against the New England Patriots, once dominant AFC contender is coming to town a few days early for a couple midweek joint practice sessions too.

It’s at this week’s joint practices where many MN Vikings starters, on both sides of the football, will get most of their training camp and preseason work in. These joint practices are competitive and, by design, incredibly intense.

Minnesota Vikings player stocks on the rise entering week 2 of preseason

Without a doubt, this week’s visit from the Pats will help Minnesota’s coaching staff decipher who on the Vikings’ 90-man roster is a contender for final spots on the regular season 53-man roster, compared to who is a pretender.

These sessions will also go a long way toward deciding position battles that are being had throughout the depth chart. So, with one 20-10 exhibition victory now in their back pocket and a big week up ahead, let’s take a look at which Vikings players have bumped their training camp stock, thus far.

MN Vikings Stock 📈: QBs Max Brosmer, Sam Howell

This is the only spot where I have two players listed next to each other. That’s because it felt wrong to leave either Max Brosmer or Sam Howell off this list, but I also didn’t want to use up two spaces on depth quarterbacks.

I wrote more on the current standing of the Minnesota Vikings’ QB room, after all three of them played in the first preseason game of the summer on Saturday. But combined, Howell and Brosmer completed 16-of-21 passes for 152 yards and 1 touchdown, immediately answering the 53-man roster questions surrounding both quarterbacks.

For the first week or two of training camp, Sam Howell struggled badly enough to where multiple local beat writers and plugged-in media members were wondering if it was time for the Vikings to start exploring outside backup quarterback options.

If general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was in that same headspace, and actively making calls last week on QB options not currently in purple, I’d imagine he hung up the phone by halftime of Minnesota’s preseason win over Houston.

Sam Howell had one hell of a day in his MN Vikings preseason debut. pic.twitter.com/OSLpeC9Y9c

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) August 10, 2025

Related: JJ McCarthy’s Leadership on Full Display in Vikings Return; O’Connell Giddy…

Howell may not be the best executor of Kevin O’Connell’s offense during the week, especially right now, coming in new. But the one-time UNC standout proved over the weekend that, if needed in a pinch, the soon to be 25-year-old QB with 18 games of starting NFL experience would be a perfectly viable option.

Meanwhile, Max Brosmer has impressed coaches, teammates and media members throughout the early-part of 2025 training camp. Still, most believed the former Gopher was destined for the Vikings’ 2025 practice squad.

Following his performance in week one of the preseason, however, that is no longer a guarantee. With two games remaining, both of which Brosmer is expected to get A LOT of playing time, the 24-year-old has an opportunity to make himself uncuttable by the time Minnesota’s exhibition schedule is completed.

Nice Max Brosmer throw to Myles Price, who has impressed in training camp pic.twitter.com/jhdgcpdi6s

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 9, 2025

B1G Connection @maxtbro @Myles_price3

📺: @FOX9 | @NFLNetwork
📻: @KFAN1003 pic.twitter.com/Au4atULnVg

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) August 9, 2025

Stock 📈: EDGE Gabe Murphy

Gabe Murphy isn’t new to any list that includes Minnesota Vikings training camp standouts. In 2024, after signing as an undrafted free agent, Murphy was one of the earliest rookies to stand out last summer.

Unfortunately, he suffered an injury at the end of camp that landed him on injured reserve for a large chunk of the regular season. But exactly one year later, Murphy has picked up right where he left off prior to his injury this time last preseason.

Even prior to Saturday’s exhibition contest, Murphy was a player being regularly mentioned as an undrafted free agent making an impact at Minnesota Vikings practices. Against the Texans, he doubled down on that optimism with 3 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 5 QB hits, disrupting Houston’s plans all afternoon in both their run and pass game.

#Vikings edge rusher Gabriel Murphy was really impressive yesterday. Remember, he had a strong camp last year before his injury:

(@WillRagatz)pic.twitter.com/XUDbI27ESG

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) August 11, 2025

Murphy finished Saturday’s preseason game with a 80.2 PFF grade on defense, a number that was buoyed by his 85.3 pass rush grade. Neither he nor Bo Richter will wow viewers in pass coverage — Murphy scored a 61.4 coverage grade vs Texans — but Gabe excelled everywhere else (69.6 Run DEF, 72.0 tackle).

There isn’t a lot of room on the Vikings’ 53-man roster at outside linebacker, behind Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner, but Gabe Murphy has to be the current leader for the remaining 1-3 spots that are available.

MN Vikings Stock 📈: K Will Reichard

On Saturday, Will Reichard kicked four total field goals (2 XP, 2 FG) and hit all four in convincing fashion, including a 48-yarder that capped off a 13-play drive from the Minnesota Vikings starters early in the first quarter.

WILL REICHARD WITH THE LEG TO GIVE THE VIKINGS THEIR FIRST POINTS & LEAD OF THE PRESEASON! pic.twitter.com/vBWBvV4QLY

— Adam (@vikingsman_28) August 9, 2025

This time last year, that would not have surprised anyone. Reichard came in as a 6th round pick out of Alabama and Vikings coaches were so impressed by his summer workouts that they cut his veteran competition, John Parker Romo, prior to their first preseason game.

Will Reichard went on to hit 14 of his first 14 regular season NFL field goal attempts, to start out his MN Vikings career (along with a perfect XP mark – 23/23). Unfortunately, the rookie kicking phenom suffered an injury in week 9, which resulted in the first two misses of his career.

Related: Insiders Lukewarm on Minnesota Vikings Future

Reichard was placed on the injured list from week 10 to week 13, and when he returned, he was no longer Mr. Automatic, converting on just 4-of-6 field goal attempts. Both misses came from 40-49 yards, where Will had been automatic since becoming the starter in Alabama.

After getting healthy over the offseason, most fans and media pundits expected the 24-year-old kicker to regain last year’s camp form early this summer. Reality didn’t play out that way, however. Instead, Reichard struggled with accuracy during the first few weeks of training camp.

One of Will Reichard’s misses… with the doink on the left upright. pic.twitter.com/cEsIxKI4Dr

— Skol Geek (@SkolGeek) July 29, 2025

Thankfully, over the past week or two, it sounds like Will has turned things around. He was perfect during the Vikings’ night practice last weekend, and hit on all four of his attempts against the Texans. Let’s hope whatever had been going on since last season’s injury is now behind the Minnesota Vikings’ present and future at kicker.

Stock 📈: RB Zavier Scott

Lastly, we cannot make a 2025 Minnesota Vikings camp stock risers list without including rookie undrafted free agent running back, Zavier Scott, who has been one of the top standouts early on in training camp.

Well, on Saturday against the Texans, he did absolutely nothing to slow down his preseason hype train. After his top competition for RB3, Ty Chandler, took 5 handoffs for a total of just 5 yards (1 YPC) — plus 3 receptions for 20 yards — Scott was given his first NFL preseason opportunity.

And he was not going to let it go to waste, rushing 7 times for 40 yards (5.7 YPC), including a 12-yard toss play in the third quarter that showed off his speed and tackle-breaking abilities. Scott, a former wide receiver, also caught one screen pass for 11 yards and a first down.

End zone view of #Vikings RB Zavier Scott's 51 yards from scrimmage on 8 touches against the Texans.

6'1", 219. Former college WR. He's got some juice! pic.twitter.com/pDxIKnrRg9

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 11, 2025

Related: What We Learned About the MN Vikings’ QB Situation vs Texans

I don’t know if the Minnesota Vikings are ready to hand Xavier Scott the RB3 position just yet. But at this point, there is nothing that Ty Chandler does better than Scott out of the backfield (other than being one of the fastest players on the team).

The converted Maine/UConn receiver can run the ball inside and outside, can obviously catch passes at a high level, and unlike Chandler, he can block a little bit too.

There has been a lot of construction going on with the roster, the last couple days. On Tuesday, we saw them place ILB Ivan Pace Jr. on Injured Reserve. They also signed inside linebacker Jamin Davis, off the Green Bay Packers practice squad, and activated UDFA outside linebacker Gabe Murphy off of IR.

Minnesota Vikings roster construction continued on Wednesday

Wednesday was more of the same… but different. After days of rumors connecting Daniel Jones to the Minnesota Vikings, it was announced this morning that he was indeed signing with the purple. This afternoon, more roster moves were announced. One day after being activated to the 53-man, Gabe Murphy was waived.

As long as he isn’t claimed, it’s expected that the UDFA out of UCLA will land on the Vikings’ practice squad. Taking his place on the active roster is long-snapper, Jake McQuaide. Tight end Nick Muse was signed to the practice squad, after he was activated to the 53-man on November 23, then waived on November 25.

The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves

– Signed LS Jake McQuaide to the 53-man roster

– Signed TE Nick Muse to the practice squad

– Waived OLB Gabriel Murphy pic.twitter.com/ZTCvpiWehT

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 27, 2024

Daniel Jones is not expected to arrive in Eagan, until Friday, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell. That means we’ll probably see him added to the practice squad roster, at that time. That’s probably around the same time that Murphy will join the practice squad, as well.

Related: Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell Gives Update on Ivan Pace Jr Injury Timeline

LS Jake McQuaide was signed a few weeks ago, after Pro Bowl long-snapper Andrew DePaola was placed on injured reserve. He and replacement kicker John Parker Romo have played together in the past. The two have helped combine for 8-of-8 on field goal tries, since putting on a Minnesota Vikings uniform in week 10.

Ivan Pace Jr. placed on Minnesota Vikings injured reserve

Through the Minnesota Vikings first 11 games, Ivan Pace Jr. has been a steadying presence in the middle of the defense. The undrafted free agent didn’t get the green dot on his helmet this season, and he’s not yet the linebacker that Cashman is, but Pace’s 59 tackles and 6 tackles for loss so far this year will certainly be missed.

The #Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis (@Jamindavis25) to the 53-man roster.

OLB Gabe Murphy has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster and LB Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/nWlBfpS4er

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 26, 2024

Pace has already surpassed his sack total from last season with three, and he was tracking to contribute more than the 102 tackles he put up a year ago. Defensively he has played 63% of the snaps for Flores, and has backed off usage on special teams. Working alongside Blake Cashman, the Vikings linebacking unit has been among the strength of the defense.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Creeping Up NFL Power Rankings After Week 13

It will be a next man up mentality for Minnesota. Cashman just recently returned from his turf toe injury. The Minnesota Vikings will likely turn to Kam Grugier-Hill, whose play has been up and down this season. He is tied for third-most on the team in interceptions, and he has logged 14 tackles, but the 30-year-old seasoned veteran’s PFF grades tell a pretty ugly story.

Ivan Pace Jr. does hilarious things on film. He’s like a bumper car fueled by Red Bull. pic.twitter.com/r7GxN3a46y

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) November 19, 2024

The hope is that Pace Jr. can heal the hamstring injury and return after missing the minimum four games. That would put him back for the Vikings last two games of the season, plus a nice, long playoff run… hopefully. With Pace Jr. being moved off the active roster, the Vikings had plenty of shuffling to do.

Vikings activate Gabe Murphy, swipe ILB Jamin Davis from Packers practice squad

Moving Pace Jr to IR meant the Minnesota Vikings had two available 53-man roster spots. They filled them with two linebackers. The first was rookie OLB Gabe Murphy, who was in his 21-day practice window, after being placed on injured reserve earlier in the season.

The other is ILB, Jamin Davis, who was on the Green Bay Packers practice squad. The 2021 first round pick (No. 19 overall) will be asked to pick up some of the snaps that Pace Jr. is vacating. Davis has played in five games this year, but they all came with the Washington Commanders.

He was a regular starter each of the past two seasons and has seven career sacks across 50 games. Davis played his college ball at the University of Kentucky. He’s started 36 games in his 4-year NFL career. For the Commanders back in 2022, Jamin Davis made 104 tackles, including 9 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

Related: Former Vikings GM Contracted to Oversee New York Jets GM Hire

The 25-year-old fourth-year veteran started all 13 of the games he played in last season, in DC, recording 89 tackles, 3 sacks 4 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles. For a midseason pickup off of a rival’s practice squad, the Jamin Davis is a VERY intriguing signing.

The #Vikings have signed LB Jamin Davis (@Jamindavis25) to the 53-man roster.

OLB Gabe Murphy has been activated off IR to the 53-man roster and LB Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/nWlBfpS4er

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 26, 2024

That’s not the only roster news for Minnesota either. They won’t be getting tight end Nick Muse back after waiving him on Monday. The practice squad is currently full, and long snapper Jack McQuaide has to be signed to the active roster this week.

All of this takes place while Minnesota awaits word on a decision from quarterback Daniel Jones, who was recently waived by the New York Giants. In other words, it’s been a busy day at the TCO Performance Center.