Unlike the loss he took earlier in the season against Seattle, Max Brosmer protected the football at home against the Lions. Other than that, the former Gopher struggled, totalling 51 yards passing for 0 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.

If you include the seven sacks Max took, which added up to -48 yards on the day, Brosmer netted just THREE total yards Thursday against Detroit. At this point in his career, even for those of us who were highest on Max Brosmer, it’s clear he’s not NFL ready.

Minnesota Vikings defense defeats Lions

But yesterday at U.S. Bank Stadium, Brian Flores’ defense didn’t need Kevin O’Connell’s offense to be even serviceable, in order for the Minnesota Vikings to find victory.

The Vikings turned Detroit over SIX times (2 INT, 4 FR) and sacked Jared Goff FIVE times. They tried to run the football too, but that didn’t go well either. Jahmyr Gibbs finished with 41 yards on 17 carries (2.4 YPC), Montgomery rushed 10 times for 25 yards (2.5 YPC).

We are so incredibly lucky to get to witness @HarriSmith22 play football.

📺: @Netflix pic.twitter.com/8HbrDawWS5

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 25, 2025

Related: MN Vikings Star Hits Another Record in Confusing Victory

All around, it was a Purple People Eater performance that must’ve had Carl Eller shedding tears on Christmas Day. And the best part of yesterday’s shutdown defensive effort was Harrison Smith’s role in the middle of it all.

Smith totalled just three tackles in the win, but two were for loss and one was a sack. He also piled up THREE passes defended and grabbed the game-sealing interception.

Vikings player/coach: Harrison Smith

After the game, Kevin O’Connell revealed to reporters that Flores has essentially handed over the keys on defense to Harrison Smith, in a rather unprecedented way.

It sounds like he is pretty much a player/coach out on the field, allowed control and flexibility pre and post snap that he did not have his first two seasons under B-Flo.

That trust then allows Smith to make adjustments and checks to the MN Vikings’ defense in real time, that other teams around the league would never even be able to dream up.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on @harrismith22 and the #Vikings captains pic.twitter.com/oILbw4zvCQ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 26, 2025

“I think part of, you know, these last few weeks — and I credit Flo — just really turning a lot over, even more so, [to Harrison Smith]. Harry’s quarterbacking and a lot of things for us defensively, but in these games, especially against a divisional opponent…we wanted to be able to once again give Harrison the ability to kind of, you know, win the pre-snap in many ways.

And then, what I think he did tonight was win the post-snap in many ways — just with his ability to get after the quarterback, you know, with the sack, and then he had a couple of TFLs, interception, just phenomenal.”

KOC trying to nudge Hitman into MN Vikings return

KOC continues to be so impressed by Harrison Smith — who he openly admits is one of the favorite players he has ever coached — that he can’t currently imagine life at TCO Performance Center without him.

Thus, Minnesota’s head coach has been trying to nudge the 14-year veteran and future Ring of Honor entrant to return for a 15th season in 2026.

Kevin O'Connell is trying to "nudge" Harrison Smith into one more season with the Vikings 👀

"I've been nudge nudge and kind of, catching him, picking [my] spots to keep on saying, 'I know you're having a lot of fun doing it, so…'"

"He's remarkable. He's one of my absolute… pic.twitter.com/KkOfGrT4y9

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) December 26, 2025

“I’ve been nudge nudge and kind of, catching him, picking [my] spots to keep on saying, ‘I know you’re having a lot of fun doing it, so…He’s remarkable. He’s one of my absolute all time favorites.”

Kevin O’Connell on trying to get Harrison Smith to return in 2026

Just like with any good Christmas gift, Minnesota Vikings fans didn’t know when we woke up Thursday morning that there was a throwback Harry the Hitman performance waiting for us under the tree later that day. But when we unwrapped it, the moment was pretty special.

Yet somehow, the show Harrison Smith put on AFTER the Vikings’ eighth win of the season was even better than what he did on the field vs Detroit.

Emotional Harrison Smith talks life, the past… not his future

Not only can Smith still hang athletically enough to make everything else he brings from an on-field coaching standpoint more than worth it, but his love for the game and continued growth as a leader of that locker room is second-to-none.

While talking with media after the game, a 36-year-old Hitman waxed nostalgic on his career, gushed over his love and respect for Vikings fans and tried to describe how much fun he’s having playing football right now.

Tears never really came… but boy they were close. As far as his future, Harry isn’t ready to talk about that. If he wasn’t having so much fun, I’d be convinced he’s on his way out, just by the way he is talking.

#Vikings fans are something special 💜 pic.twitter.com/aGazx3cptw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 26, 2025

“The fans here have never experienced a Super Bowl, always show up. And for them to keep showing up, it just shows how much they love the team, how much they love, you know, everything that goes into it. We’re out of the playoffs, everybody shows up in white. They do their part. And one of these days they’ll get it.”

#Vikings S Harrison Smith with some high praise for the defense in what could be one of his final games of his NFL career:

“Today was one of the best defensive performances as a unit I've ever been a part of.”pic.twitter.com/vb63Q2SlB0

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) December 26, 2025

“Today was one of the best defensive performances, as a unit, that I have ever been a part of. Guys were flying around, we were having fun, and that’s what it’s all about.”

“As a kid, playing the game, you never think you’re going to end up here with all this love from these great fans. Anytime we can come out here and walk between the white lines, there’s just nothing better.”

who needs a super bowl when you have a netflix championship? pic.twitter.com/V8sWDk9orq

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) December 26, 2025

Related: JJ McCarthy Gets Nervous Throwing to Justin Jefferson?

We’ll find out soon enough if Harrison Smith is going to indeed return for one more season. But just in case he doesn’t, Minnesota Vikings fans need to soak all of this in while they still can.

Because there aren’t a lot of historic figures on this team that strike a chord with fans quite like Harry the Hitman.

If the Vikings are going to rip off a victory in Seattle as double-digit underdogs this weekend, they’ll do so shorthanded on the offensive line yet again, unless they get substantially better news on the injury front Friday,

Minnesota Vikings offensive line remains a problem

Last weekend in Green Bay, the Vikings had their starting offensive line together, as intended, for the first time this season. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that’ll be the case this week out west, after Christian Darrisaw and Donovan Jackson both missed their second-straight practice on Thursday.

Seahawks-Vikings injury report for Thursday. And Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. pic.twitter.com/c3X28IPCFO

— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) November 27, 2025

Jackson has played in nine games this season, and so too has Darrisaw. The lack of availability doesn’t bode well for either, and short of limited participation on Friday, both will be out.

If Darrisaw is unable to go, then Brosmer will be looking to survive his first career start while having backup Justin Skule protect his blindside. Jackson being unavailable would force Blake Brandel back into action.

Both Justin Jefferson and Harrison Smith were upgraded from limited to full participation. A hip injury also put Jalen Redmond on the injury report as a limited participant.

Although quarterback J.J. McCarthy logged a second-straight limited practice, he has yet to clear concussion protocol. Minnesota signed veteran depth quarterback Desmond Ridder on Thursday.

Injuries have hamstrung the Vikings all year. They look to be trending in the wrong direction once again, and that’s not good news for a team that’s already 4-7.

Jeff Okudah and Josh Oliver, who both missed the Lions game, didn’t practice. Neither did Harrison Smith (rest). Theo Jackson was a DNP too, after suffering a concussion that was diagnosed Monday.

CJ Ham, however, returned to the practice field in a limited fashion, as did Josh Metellus and Jalen Redmond. Will Fries (calf) also showed up for one of the first times all season, as limited. But on Thursday, the outlook got a little bit brighter in multiple spots.

Week 10 Injury Report: Minnesota Vikings get healthier Thursday

Will Fries was a full participant today, as was Metellus and Smith. Jackson moved to the next stage of concussion protocol, as he too was a limited participant, after taking yesterday off.

Unfortunately, Okudah and Oliver remain out. As has been the case for most of the season, Darrisaw was a DNP on Thursday, after putting in a full day of practice on Wednesday.

Related: Asante Samuel Jr Visit is Not What You Think…

The 4-4 Minnesota Vikings will play against Lamar Jackson and the 3-5 Baltimore Ravens on Sunday afternoon, looking to pull off their second upset victory in as many weeks. JJ McCarthy will make the fourth start of his NFL career and second since returning from an ankle injury he suffered week two.

This week 10 matchup is at U.S. Bank Stadium, yet the Ravens come in as -4.5 point road favorites, showing just how up against the odds Minnesota really is in this matchup. If the Vikings are going to stand any chance of another surprise victory, they will need all hands on deck, just like they had in Detroit.

Those plans have been somewhat thwarted by injury, but at 3-2, they are still right in the thick of things. Early on the largest question marks came in the form of availability for both Christian Darrisaw and Harrison Smith.

The left tackle has largely thwarted those at this point, but they continue to swirl for the legendary saftey.

Harrison Smith status still murky for Minnesota Vikings

At 36 years old Harrison Smith is no spring chicken. He is a 14-year veteran and has played three of the Vikings six games this season. What’s notable is that despite never having played less than 90% of defensive snaps in a season, he is at 38% this year. Brian Flores was asked about that reality.

Vikings DC Brian Flores gave no indication today that S Harrison Smith will be returning to a full-time role Sunday. Here are his answers to two questions about Smith: https://t.co/9Z43JiNXSr pic.twitter.com/fUOGDnXDGL

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 14, 2025

With the bye week behind him, this will be the week to watch what Smith’s snap count looks like. It’s one thing for the Vikings to suggest they still are deploying the six-time Pro Bowl selection in an intended capacity. It’s entirely different for the usage to be this limited with murky details in the first place.

Harrison Smith missed the majority of training camp with a personal illness. No one has ever reported specifically what he is or was dealing with, and he has not publicly commented on it either. With no benefit of doubt, this has turned into an aging player being filtered out.

If Smith is going to contribute something this season, then his usage must be more than sporadic. Of course Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson are the intended future, but there was little reason to bring back Smith if this was the role he was going to play.

Adam Thielen on the Harrison Smith plan for Vikings

Harrison Smith isn’t the only Vikings legend that’s seeing things go downhill when it comes to usage. Of course Minnesota was all over trading for him as depth with Jordan Addison’s suspension. He has quickly turned into little more than a roster placeholder.

Thielen has been active for all five of Minnesota’s games, and he has started three of them. Despite that level of opportunity, he has just four receptions on eight targets for 37 yards. His snap count dropped to 69% with Carolina last year, and now in his 12th year, it’s just 46% for Minnesota.

Adam Thielen “Coming Home” remix pic.twitter.com/YjH1fJAJk3

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) August 27, 2025

The tandem of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are the best duo in the league. Minnesota fully intends to keep them together. It’s a contract year for Jalen Nailor, and he has continued to see extended run with the Vikings (78% snap count). Thielen has been the one pushed out of the picture.

This certainly feels like Thielen’s swan song, and it would be fun if the Minnesota Vikings can do something fun with it. Either way, it’s been an incredible career for a guy who came with very few expectations.

JJ McCarthy will be replaced by Carson Wentz, who will now start for his sixth team in six years, on Sunday. We got that news officially, on Friday. Unfortunately, we also learned that C Ryan Kelly won’t play either. He and backup LT Justin Skule failed to make it through concussion protocol quickly enough.

Christian Darrisaw, Harrison Smith both back for MN Vikings

But what about the other three MN Vikings starters who were listed on the final injury report this week as questionable? Well, after he sounded hesitant going into the weekend, left tackle Christian Darrisaw is now expected to play, according to multiple NFL insiders.

In less surprising news, being it was already reported earlier in the evening, Harrison Smith is back too. Neither Smith nor Darrisaw are expected to take on full workloads vs the Bengals, however.

#Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw (knee) and S Harrison Smith (illness) — both of whom have yet to play this season — are expected to make their debuts on Sunday, sources say.

Both are slated to start, but will likely rotate on and off.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2025

This offseason, the Minnesota Vikings went on a mission to fix their offensive line, investing exponential amounts of time, energy and free agent cash to replace three of five starters from 2024. The hope was that the group could be a strength. So far that hasn’t been a reality, but they also haven’t had Christian Darrisaw.

The insertion of Darrisaw into the starting lineup is substantial. Not only has his backup Justin Skule been awful (49th of 65 tackles per Pro Football Focus), but he isn’t available, meaning the Vikings would’ve had to play their third option left tackle against one of the best pass rushers in the league, Trey Hendrickson.

Backup QB Carson Wentz will now have something for his Minnesota Vikings debut that J.J. McCarthy never got, during the first two starts of his NFL career — an All-Pro caliber left tackle to protect his blindside.

Andrew Van Ginkel back for Minnesota too

But wait, there’s more. Adam Schefter brought even more good news, shortly after the reports on Darrisaw and Smith dropped. Andrew Van Ginkel, who had missed Week 2 with a concussion of his own, is also expected to return to the Vikings defense.

Help is on the way Sunday for the Vikings: Three players listed as questionable – OT Christian Darrisaw (knee), S Harrison Smith (illness), DE Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) – are expected to play vs. the Bengals, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 21, 2025

In the season opener against Chicago, Van Ginkel recorded five tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage. He nearly ripped off a pick-six, in classic Van Ginkel fashion, and wreaked havoc on the Bears, prior to suffering his head injury.

Dallas Turner was utilized more heavily in his absence last week, but the MN Vikings defensive front just got significantly better and deeper, with the reintroduction of Van Ginkel, who can now assume his normal starting role Sunday, opposite Jonathan Greenard.

Unlike Rapoport, Schefter reports that Darrisaw will be FULL go, with no limited snap count. Same with Van Ginkel. According to NFL’s NO. 1 insider, Harrison Smith is the only returning Vikings player expected to be on some sort of limited snap count.

Darrisaw gives MN Vikings line renewed hope

The Minnesota Vikings spent a substantial amount of money on their offensive line this offseason. For the most part it has flopped in the early going, and that made things tough on McCarthy through their first two games.

Darrisaw’s absence was chief among the Vikings’ problems. Not having Ryan Kelly in the middle, to complete now-look starting offensive line, will hurt. But few would argue that his absence will hurt as much as Darrisaw’s did for the first two weeks.

The Vikings go from playing one of the worst tackles in football in weeks one and two, to inserting one of the best blockers in football.Even if he isn’t feeling 100%, a rusty Christian Darrisaw is exponentially better than what Walter Rouse or Blake Brandel would have represented.

this stunt pickup from LT Christian Darrisaw is an OT in complete control of his game pic.twitter.com/dq3cr0DZGw

— Mike Renner (@mikerenner_) October 21, 2024

That will definitely materialize with a positive impact in both the run and pass game. It will be on Wentz, and new unquestioned starter Jordan Mason, to utilize his presence.

Minnesota kicks off against the Bengals at 12 pm on Sunday. They are looking to improve to 2-1 on the season and head into their overseas swing on a positive note.

There is still hope that Christian Darrisaw returns this weekend against the Cincinnati Bengals. Minnesota opted against placing him on injured reserve to start the year, but his confidence makes that look like something of a misstep.

Harrison Smith has been sidelined with an illness for more than a month, but he may finally be reaching the end of that tunnel.

Harrison Smith set for 2025 Minnesota Vikings debut

There has been little information presented regarding the actual ailment for Harrison Smith. Dubbed an illness, the malady has kept him out for the vast majority of training camp, and the first two weeks of the regular season. Although Darrisaw still has a questionable status for Sunday, Smith has no designation.

Minnesota will be without J.J. McCarthy and Aaron Jones for its Week 3 matchup against Cincinnati.

But barring a last-minute setback, Brian Flores’ Vikings defense will get a boost in the form of Harrison Smith, who is set to make his season debut, sources say. pic.twitter.com/RGiFVP3T4A

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 20, 2025

The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini, she of Aaron Rodgers fandom, is reporting that Smith will be active on Sunday. It would be his first game action of the season, and should not be expected that he’ll handle a normal allotment of snaps.

Last season Smith played in 16 games for the Vikings. At 36 years old, he is entering his 14th NFL season. To say he has been doing it a long time would be putting it lightly.

Minnesota isn’t going to get the Pro Bowl or All-Pro version of Smith, but he is absolutely the captain that can still quarterback a defense. With the absence of Blake Cashman and multiple other key pieces out, Smith’s presence can be a steadying force for Brian Flores’ defense.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Offensive Line Returns to Practice… with Bad News

If and when Smith goes on Sunday, it will be his 193rd career regular season game. The Vikings need him to help a safety room that has been without their leader. His insertion into the lineup should also elevate the abilities of Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson.

Vikings boost on defense can be key

It’s going to be a battle of the backups on Sunday. Jake Browning is starting in place of Joe Burrow, and J.J. McCarthy is being replaced by Carson Wentz.

The expectation that the Vikings offense goes off without a hitch would likely be imaginary at best. The more heavy lifting that the defense can do, the better. Browning already beat Minnesota once, back in 2023. Smith being able to help direct his side of the ball is a big deal.

Related: Christian Darrisaw Does Not Sound Ready

Minnesota has two straight games across the pond on deck. They’ll need to win this one against the Bengals to set themselves up in a good position. A victory with a clean bill of health to follow would be the best-case scenario.

Kevin O’Connell is forced to ready his team under a new quarterback. After an ankle injury forced J.J. McCarthy from the starting lineup, Carson Wentz has now been tabbed to take over.

The quarterback position isn’t the only spot that has been hit by the injury bug, but Thursday’s report suggests things could be looking up.

Another starter returns to practice for Vikings

Last weekend the Minnesota Vikings were without both Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah. That tandem suffered concussions and remained out of action. Okudah was good for practice on Wednesday, and Van Ginkel returned to a full session on Thursday.

Thursday's #Vikings injury report pic.twitter.com/QVtV2Gkizq

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 18, 2025

It’s a positive for Brian Flores’ defense to see both Okudah and Van Ginkel trending towards availability this weekend. Last week Fabian Moreau was elevated from the practice squad, and Dallas Turner was fo rced into a greater level of production.

Darrisaw was out of action today after being a full participant on Wednesday. That is intentional as he continues to get back into the first team level of defense.

Minnesota has some serious depth on defense, but the reality is that they can’t simply ask the next man up to keep the same level of production. The cornerback room has been thin from the get go, and you’re never going to replace a starting edge rusher.

Harrison Smith making his 2025 debut would be more than welcomed. He has been out of action since early August with an undisclosed illness, and cementing the back-end of the defense could do that side of the ball wonders.

The vast majority of Minnesota’s limited participants from Wednesday replicated their status on Thursday. Where they ultimately check in on Friday will be telling, and set the team up for this weekend’s level of certainty.

Related: Good News on Key Minnesota Vikings Injuries

The more Minnesota can generate push and production from their offensive live, the better off they will be. It would be ideal to see Darrisaw return to the staring lineup, and being joined by Smith on the back end would be more than welcomed. At some point, the Vikings have to get both healthy and right.

The sooner that can happen, the better.

They won’t be alone, however, after star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a significant turf toe injury in week 2, forcing head coach Zac Taylor to name 29-year-old former Viking, Jake Browning, as the Bengals’ starter.

We know one thing for sure. the MN Vikings will not be sleeping on the Bengals’ emergency starter, not after his “you never should have fu****g cut me” sideline tirade in Cinci, back in 2023.

Jake Browning the last time he played the Vikings

🐅 29/42
🐅 324 passing yards
🐅 2 TD

“Shoulda never f**king cut me!”

pic.twitter.com/wUm8nZTEFM

— SleeperBengals (@SleeperBengals) September 16, 2025

Of course, it won’t matter who is playing quarterback in Minnesota this weekend, if the Vikings cannot get healthier between now and noon on Sunday.

Because, not only did Kevin O’Connell & Co. leave U.S. Bank Stadium in week two with their first loss of the season, but they also collected a host of new injuries, adding to an already growing healthy problem in Eagan.

MN Vikings injury report still way too long…

Wednesday afternoon, on the first injury report of the week, Minnesota listed 12 players as dealing with some sort of injury or ailment. JJ McCarthy (DNP – Ankle) was among them, after the Vikings chose not to place him on injured reserve, lending to the idea that he could return prior to their week six bye.

Other starters included Jonathan Greenard (Oblique), Donovan Jackson (Wrist), Andrew Van Ginkel (Concussion) and Harrison Smith (Illness), among others, as “limited”. O-linemen Ryan Kelly (Concussion) and Justin Skule (Concussion) were both listed as DNP, along with McCarthy. Christian Darrisaw and Jeff Okudah were also on the injury report, but practiced in full.

The #Vikings first injury report of Week 3 pic.twitter.com/3NEnMGOoqZ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 17, 2025

From the sounds of it, Greenard, Jackson and Van Ginkel are likely to play on Sunday, as is Jeff Okudah, who would return after missing week two. But for the past three weeks now, all eyes have been on the aforementioned Christian Darrisaw and Harrison Smith, neither of which have played a snap yet in 2025.

When Minnesota Vikings fans went to bed on Wednesday night, the last we heard about both players came from head coach Kevin O’Connell, when he spoke during his afternoon press conference earlier in the day. At that time, Smith was trending toward playing, while Darrisaw’s status was still very much in question.

NFL insider brings good news on Minnesota Vikings injury front

On Thursday morning however, NFL Network insider, Tom Pelissero, brought more good news on KFAN Radio’s Power Trip Morning Show, where the “one of us” media star confirmed positive reports on Harry the Hitman.

Then, he went on to report by far the most positive injury update in weeks, regarding Minnesota’s All-Pro caliber left tackle, Christian Darrisaw — see transcript below video, if needed.

Ben Leber: “[Christian] Darrisaw was a full participant on the injury report yesterday. What’s your percentage that he actually plays in this game and starts this game on on Sunday noon?”

Pelissero: “Well, certainly it’s the highest it’s been when you’re a full participant on Wednesday. Unless he has a setback, like it’s all about experimenting, right? Give him a little bit more, see how the knee responds. Unless it blows up on him, or he’s got some type of a setback, it seems like it’s trending toward Darrisaw playing on Sunday…It also seems like this is potentially the week for [Harrison Smith] to get back.

Tom Pelissero – KFAN Radio

I mean, there really isn’t better news that Tom Pelissero could have hit the Twin Cities airwaves with early this morning than what he did. With the Minnesota Vikings now down to their third-string left tackle, there is no position on roster where they are more desperate to get a starter back, than there.

Harrison Smith, Christian Darrisaw could have played already…?

But dot.com Tom went even further, noting that both Darrisaw and Smith could have played in weeks one and two, had there been more at stake in those matchups (ie: a playoff or must-win game, as the trusted NFL insider (who still lives in Minnesota) put it on the Power Trip Morning Show.

And really, Darrisaw could have played week one. Like, don’t don’t get it twisted. There were no setbacks. It wasn’t as if things weren’t going well in practice. He wasn’t getting the full load in practice. But if they had said, “Hey, you know, this is a playoff game, or this is a must-win game, Darrisaw could have been out there.

They’re just trying to be really smart with when they’re putting guys onto the field. It seems like these extra couple of weeks he’s got more comfortable. He’s been able to take more reps. This potentially could be the week for Darrisaw to get back on the field.”

[Harrison Smith] is another guy, who if they really really needed him, they probably could have pushed him out there. I don’t know that if he’s going to get a full workload in week three. I know Harrison, once he gets on the field, is going to want to play 70 snaps. But I do anticipate that, you know, barring some type of a setback here. We may see him out there, too.”

Tom Pelissero – KFAN Radio

Let’s be frank. Between weeks one and two of the 2025 NFL season, our Minnesota Vikings went from bad to worse. Thankfully, they’ve emerged with a 1-1 record, in large part due to the Bears being the same old Bears last Monday night, with the whole football world watching.

Had Caleb Williams & Co. not crumbled in the fourth quarter week one, which allowed JJ McCarthy to lead one of the most memorable comebacks in Vikings franchise history, panic in Minnesota would be at record levels, entering week three.

We know they are again walking wounded, coming out of the latest contest. J.J. McCarthy is out for a matter of weeks with his ankle injury. Christian Darrisaw and Harrison Smith, who have yet to play this season, also come in with questionable designations this week.

Wednesday’s practice provided some clarity on a couple of players, but there are still a ton of questions surrounding the status of others.

Two starters return for Minnesota Vikings

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said that left tackle Christian Darrisaw would be a “full” participant on Wednesday. That wound up being the case, but we have heard that before. He was also joined by cornerback Jeff Okudah, who had been working through concussion protocol.

It’s good to see both players back on the field and without restrictions. Unfortunately, Andrew Van Ginkel — who suffered a concussion of his own during the same Week 1 game that Okudah did, was still limited at practice on Wednesday. Harrison Smith was also limited, as was Jonathan Greenard, Donovan Jackson and Theo Jackson.

The #Vikings first injury report of Week 3 pic.twitter.com/3NEnMGOoqZ

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 17, 2025

Andrew Van Ginkel is back, with a no-contact jersey, and Jeff Okudah is practicing. No J.J. McCarthy, Ryan Kelly or Justin Skule; likely rest days for Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. pic.twitter.com/jIX5GFdYjR

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) September 17, 2025

Related: Former Viking Expecting Baby with Rap Superstar

It’s probably expected, given his concussion history, that center Ryan Kelly will miss Sunday’s game against Cincinnati. That’s tough news for a revamped offensive line that has yet to put five healthy starters on the field.

Carson Wentz will need that group to protect him better than they did McCarthy, if he wants a chance this weekend. Minnesota plays host to the Bengals, and former practice squad quarterback Jake Browning, on Sunday afternoon.

While Friday brought renewed hope with an additional day of practice, the game designations for multiple starters has been clarified. Unfortunately, the outcomes are not positive.

Defense loses two starters for MN Vikings

Last week Christian Darrisaw worked out pregame with a desire to be back on the field. Ultimately he was announced as out. Even now, the additional week of practice won’t give him time to get ready as he’ll miss a second straight game. This time, he’s being joined by starting defenders Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah.

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell with some game status vs. Falcons:

Christian Darrisaw, Jeff Okudah and Andrew Van Ginkel are OUT. All are progressing.

Harrison Smith is QUESTIONABLE.

Ryan Kelly is ACTIVE.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) September 12, 2025

Okudah has been talked up all throughout training camp and operated as a starter during Week 1. He was carted off at the end of the game and is now in concussion protocol.

The Vikings cornerback depth was already incredibly thin, and now the 53-man roster has just three players at the position. Fabian Moreau is on the practice squad. The veteran played multiple games for the Minnesota Vikings last year so an elevation for him makes sense.

The Vikings front seven has been the key to the defense thus far. Van Ginkel being removed from that group is a significant blow. Like Okudah, he too is progressing through concussion protocol.

That will force Dallas Turner to step up in a big way. With Blake Cashman going on injured reserve yesterday, the linebacker position and edge rushing group is now in quite a state of flux.

McCarthy back at Minnesota Vikings practice

Thursday J.J. McCarthy missed practice for the Vikings as he and his fiance, Katya Kuropas, welcomed their baby boy to the world. While O’Connell is constantly providing great messaging for his young leader, he did have some words of wisdom for him to take to the hospital

KO is always coaching his QB 🤣 pic.twitter.com/H4MdeLhcqS

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 12, 2025

Not only will McCarthy be under center to reprise his award-winning performance from Week 1 on Sunday Night, but now he’ll be doing it with the added benefit of dad strength.

Veterans are key for Vikings on Sunday

It remains to be seen if Harrison Smith can go Sunday night. He has been out with an undisclosed illness, and it sounds as though the hurdle now is conditioning. His presence on the back end of the defense would be a boost to the group, and help to mitigate the cornerback situation.

Minnesota Vikings center Ryan Kelly did go into the medical tent on Monday night, but he has no injury designation and will be good to go.

Ty Chandler was also placed on injured reserve earlier this week, meaning Myles Price will have increased return duties. Undrafted rookie running back Zavier Scott could also see some action there.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Wasted No Time Delivering Legendary Message

The Vikings are set to square off against the Atlanta Falcons in a second-straight primetime game. J.J. McCarthy will battle against Michael Penix Jr. and look to best him as he did during the National Championship two years ago.