More importantly, their QB — arguably the biggest dual threat quarterback in NFL history (maybe Michael Vick?) — Lamar Jackson, who would easily be on pace to win his third MVP award, if not for an injury that cost him three of Baltimore’s eight games.

Much like their week 10 opponent, the Ravens are healthier now than they have been all season, even posting a completely clean injury report at the beginning of this week. On Friday afternoon, the Vikings countered with a final injury report of their own that, removing all but four players from their no-fly list vs Baltimore.

Final Injury Inactives: Minnesota Vikings almost all the way back

Aaron Jones suggested he’d be back on the field vs Baltimore, but the Vikings made him “questionable” entering the weekend. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Theo Jackson, who failed to make his way out of concussion protocol in time for kickoff.

Minnesota’s promising young safety showed symptoms Monday when he arrived at TCO Performance Center, fresh off a Vikings upset over the Lions the day before. Just like last week, both Josh Oliver and Jeff Okudah remain out. Neither player practiced this week. Other than that, the Minnesota Vikings are a full-go Sunday.

Final #Vikings injury report

OUT: Jeff Okudah and Josh Oliver

QUESTIONABLE: Theo Jackson and Aaron Jones Sr. pic.twitter.com/EU7eWwep3o

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 7, 2025

Kevin O’Connell has been without a bunch of key pieces this year, on both sides of the football. But things appear to be on the upswing, in the MN Vikings injury department. Of course, we all know how quickly that can change.

The Vikings enter their matchup vs Baltimore as pretty significant underdogs (+4.5) for a home team, especially with a home field advantage like what U.S. Bank Stadium offers. In other words, they’ll need all hands on deck to claim their second-straight victory, both of which would come in upset fashion.

Vikings far from injury free… but it could be worse

This is Jeff Okudah’s second concussion of the season, so it’s no surprise the Vikings are taking things slow with him, much like they have with center Ryan Kelly, who returned to practice this week, in a very limited fashion.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell provides an update on CB Jeff Okudah pic.twitter.com/7z1GnlE2sB

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 7, 2025

We knew Josh Oliver’s injury would be a little while too. So while both absences hurt, we know very well how much worse it could be. Lamar, Derrick Henry and the boys in purple and black will be locked and loaded, fresh off destroying the Miami Dolphins in week 9.

Much like they did Goff and the high powered Lions offense one week ago, the Minnesota Vikings must find a way to rattle Jackson and keep him from beating him with his legs… or winning will be awfully difficult, especially when you are still trying to take the training wheels off your own quarterback, on the other sideline

Thankfully, no matter how bad the loss was, it only counts once. But now, the Vikings will go to Detroit in 10 days rest for what feels like a must-win game against the division-rival Lions, who are on their bye this week and had to be salivating watching Minnesota’s embarrassing performance on Prime(time) Video.

Minnesota Vikings hit hard by injuries in week 8 (again)

But the MN Vikings can’t concern themselves with that. Stop me if you have heard this before (wait don’t because this isn’t an old article) but this is a team that needs to focus on getting healthy, after yet another outing that included the exit of multiple starters due to injury.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell entered Thursday without starters (FB) CJ Ham, (OLB) Andrew Van Ginkel, (C) Ryan Kelly and (QB) JJ McCarthy. And it took just two drives before they lost another. And surprise, it came at the worst possible position.

Kevin O'Connell said he did not want to get into detail on Christian Darrisaw's injury. (We understood it to be a torn left ACL/MCL.) Regardless, O'Connell said that with Thursday game after a high-snap game like last week, "there's just only so much that we can do."

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 24, 2025

Christian Darrisaw continues to work his way back from midseason knee surgery one year ago. He was very questionable going in, and after the 26-year-old did not look/feel like himself during those first couple drives, Darrisaw took himself out for the second time in three weeks.

Injury issues started with Darrisaw, continued all night for Wentz

It does not appear the 2021 No. 23 overall pick suffered any sort of setback with that knee. According to reports, Christian had swelling in his knee after playing 69 snaps in week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles, and the quick turnaround was not enough time to recover.

#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell touches on Christian Darrisaw:

“Based upon the idea of the type of injury he’s coming back from. I’m not going to go into detail with what that injury was, but I would just say there is a layer to Christian doing everything he can. But, when he has a… pic.twitter.com/mA9V3n2yJH

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 24, 2025

Speaking of beatings, without his starting center, left tackle and right tackle, Carson Wentz — who entered with a shoulder injury he’s been nursing since London — took one of the worst of any quarterback I’ve seen play in a Minnesota Vikings uniform during my 30+ years of watching them play.

He was sacked 5 times and hit 8 more, in large part because he is struggling to see open receivers and get the ball out on time. Frustrations and pain boiled over multiple times on the field and sideline, but KOC just continued to send Wentz back out to QB his own death.

Carson Wentz’s night in one photo. pic.twitter.com/Tm4WhKTyD7

— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) October 24, 2025

Finally, after he held back tears of pain for the entire second half, Max Brosmer replaced Wentz for the Vikings final drive. More than likely, he will be replaced by JJ McCarthy next week.

Wentz came in wearing a sort of shoulder contraption that, if you squinted, looked like a third shoulder pad. Hopefully it helped keep that shoulder in place, because it certainly didn’t make him a better quarterback.

Oliver, Okudah, Greenard leave MN Vikings vs LA Chargers injured

By the time quarter one turned to quarter two, Josh Oliver exited the game with a foot injury and was later carted off the sideline, to the locker room. Obviously, that is not a good sign. The Minnesota Vikings need all the help they can get in pass and run blocking so losing the best blocking tight end in football will hurt.

Then, there’s Jeff Okudah. He missed time earlier in the season with a concussion. Last night, the 2020 No. 3 overall draft pick suffered his second head injury of the season, meaning his return is way up in the air. Not just next week, but the rest of the season.

Hopefully, this is the last one but we may not find out until next week, being Vikings vs Chargers was the early game in week 8. Jonathan Greenard also left last night with a late-game ailment.

He got off the field on his own power and looked hungry to return. Had the Chargers not run away with things by then, he likely would have. Leading up to his injury, Greenard was one of the few bright spots in Thursday’s loss.

#Vikings edge rusher Jonathan Greenard so far:

• 4 Total Tackles
• 3 TFL
• 1 Sackpic.twitter.com/xYSrbR1g9S

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) October 24, 2025

These next three days of minicamp workouts will also allow for more time (10 hours per day for a max of 24 hours total) than what has been allowed under the NFL CBA so far during phase three (6 hours per day for a max of three days). But then, as players were arriving in Eagan Tuesday morning, some surprising news broke.

Minnesota Vikings sign Josh Oliver to contract extension

As first reported by Tom Pelissero (NFL Network), the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to a contract extension with 28-year-old tight end Josh Oliver, who was selected 69th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars during the 3rd round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Oliver’s fresh new deal is worth three years, $23.25 million and will keep him in Minnesota through the 2028 season.

HERE TO STAY‼️

The #Vikings have agreed to terms with @JoshO_3 on a contract extension.

📰: https://t.co/JbC1pkdkC4 pic.twitter.com/Qq8ady7I0o

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) June 10, 2025

Oliver played three NFL seasons (in four years), mostly with the Ravens, before signing with the Vikings prior to the 2023 season. In two purple campaigns, the San Jose State alum has hauled in 44 receptions for 471 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Related: Former Minnesota Vikings Running Back Lands Tryout in New Orleans

Prior to arriving in Minnesota, Josh Oliver had totaled just 26 receptions for 230 yards and 2 TDs. That, along with the increased priority from head coach Kevin O’Connell to run the football in 2025, re-upping on the best blocking tight end in football makes sense… on its face.

Oliver extension goes against recent reporting

But it’s surprising the news drops today, less than one week after Darren Wolfson (KSTP) reported on SKOR North Thursday that he saw pretty much no chance of a Josh Oliver extension prior to the start of the Minnesota Vikings 2025 regular season, let alone training camp or (god forbid) minicamp.

ooooof… https://t.co/81Dk6vPOVT https://t.co/AYz0lJvKr6 pic.twitter.com/Or8yTU3oFW

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

I think, at this point, Josh Oliver hits unrestricted free agency next March, which my understanding, is he would be okay with…He’s moved around already. He sure likes it here, he is banking on himself having a good year this year, then being in a position to sign a third contract, maybe even back here. But not signing a contract extension like before training camp. I don’t think that is happening unless things change.

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

I have no doubt that what Wolfson was told last week was legitimate, at the time. Was he used by the Josh Oliver camp to induce more serious negotiations on the side of the Minnesota Vikings?

That’s certainly possible. Either way, Josh Oliver will be he for the foreseeable future, which is a much different reality than what we were told heading into last weekend. No matter how it went down though, the Oliver extension is a big time W for Kevin O’Connell’s offense and the MN Vikings’ chances in 2025.

From there, players will get a month or so off before they get ready to reconvene back in the south suburbs of the Twin Cities for Training Camp in mid-late July. Between now and then, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Vikings front office will continue ongoing contract negotiations with coaches and players.

We’ve already touched on some of the coaches who are currently working on new deals, as reported by Darren Wolfson (KSTP) this week on SKOR North. Meanwhile, the most well-known and public player negotiation currently taking place is that of Josh Metellus, a deal Wolfson and others expect to get done eventually.

Minnesota Vikings tight end looking forward to free agency next offseason…?

The same cannot be said about tight end, Josh Oliver, however. The 28-year-old former 3rd round pick out of San Jose State is also due to hit the open market next offseason.

Unlike Metellus, Oliver appears content with playing out the final year of his deal, before entering free agency next March. Don’t get it confused. Just like everyone who works for the Vikings, the 6’5″ road grading tight end likes it in Minnesota and Darren believes he’ll be open to a return.

Josh Oliver is confident in his abilities to earn more money on the open market, after one more successful season in purple. Should the Vikings rise up next offseason, as his best option for 2026 and beyond, Josh Oliver could still be back. Just no early discounts.

“If I had to bet, I’d like to think the two sides come to a happy medium eventually. That this is the next extension to get done. That it’s not Josh Oliver. I think, at this point, Josh Oliver hits unrestricted free agency next March, which my understanding, is he would be okay with.

He’s moved around already. He sure likes it here, he is banking on himself having a good year this year, then being in a position to sign a third contract, maybe even back here. But not signing a contract extension like before training camp. I don’t think that is happening unless things change. But right now, in the moment, no movement on the Josh Oliver front.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

Losing Josh Oliver, who many consider to be the best blocking tight end in all of football, to free agency would be a big hit to what Kevin O’Connell wants to do offensively, especially since the Vikings are trying to be much more run-heavy, going forward with JJ McCarthy.

How much would losing Josh Oliver hurt the MN Vikings?

As a Viking, Josh Oliver has played 32 games, including 27 starts, racking up 44 receptions on 56 targets for 471 yards and 5 touchdowns, essentially doubling the numbers he had put up through the first four years of his NFL career, in Jacksonville and Baltimore.

Drafted in 2019 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Oliver spent most of his first two NFL seasons on the injured list, including all of 2020. In March 2021, after playing just four total games (3 receptions, 15 yards) with the team that used a 3rd round pick on him, Josh Oliver was traded to the Baltimore Ravens.

Related: Justin Jefferson Reveals Why He Attended Minnesota Vikings OTAs

Under John Harbaugh, Oliver became a crucial piece to the Ravens running game, but was utilized very little, outside of that role. He started only 10 games for Baltimore, in his two years there, catching 23 total passes for 215 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The Paso Robles (CA) native then hit free agency in March 2023, where he quickly found a new job with the Minnesota Vikings, inking a three-year deal worth $21 million. What’s followed has been the best seasons of his professional career.

Josh Oliver (84) is such a valuable part of the Vikings' offense and it probably doesn't get talked about enough.

9-110-1 receiving line over the last two weeks while also being maybe the best run-blocking tight end in football. A remarkable athlete at 6'5", 260. pic.twitter.com/vDwISoW3OM

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) November 12, 2024

Multiple times since arriving in Eagan, head coach Kevin O’Connell has gushed over how much Josh Oliver means to what KOC’s offense does on a weekly basis. But just one year from now, it sounds like one of the most underrated pieces of the Minnesota Vikings’ high-powered attack could very well leave.

Next February/March, we’ll find out how much the Minnesota Vikings really value Oliver, compared to other teams across the league, who may be able to offer him a more prominent role in the passing game, something he has proved he can handle when asked.

Josh Metellus, Vikings struggling to find sweet spot in negotiations

Metellus skipped the first few voluntary Vikings OTA sessions in May, before showing up and VERY lightly participating in their most recent workout, on June 2. It’s pretty clear that the defensive leader’s disinterest this spring is due to ongoing contract negotiations that stretch all the way back to this time last year.

Related: Multiple Insiders Still See Kirk Cousins Landing Back in Minnesota

Oddly enough, it sounds like the trip up in negotiations between Metellus and the Vikings is his position flexibility. Josh wants to be the highest paid safety in the league… but he plays more in the box than he does in the secondary. Should that work against him, though?

“On Josh Matelis I think there’s been enough dialogue and [the Vikings] and [his agent] Drew Rosenhaus have worked out enough contracts: Christian Darrisaw, Aaron Jones, I mentioned Andrew Van Ginkel, go up and down the list…that I’d like to think eventually this gets done. But I’m telling you, I’m struggling to come up with what the numbers look like.”

Darren Wolfson – Mackey & Judd Show (SKOR North)

Because linebackers and slot cornerbacks — where the former 6th round pick out of Michigan spends most of his time — are usually paid more than safeties. The problem with getting a Metellus deal done has nothing to do with lack of desire. He wants to be back in purple and, likewise, the Minnesota Vikings are motivated to bring him back.

Seven Minnesota Vikings are inactive today vs the Cardinals, who have five inactives of their own. There is one major surprise for the Vikings. Now 2nd string right guard, Ed Ingram, is a healthy scratch.

Minnesota Vikings Inactives

• G Ed Ingram
• TE Josh Oliver
• S Jay Ward
• OL Michael Jurgens
• DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
• CB Dwight McGlothern
• QB Brett Rypien (emergency 3rd QB)

Arizona Cardinals Inactives

• TE Travis Vokolek
• WR Xavier Weaver
• OL Christian Jones
• OLB Julian Okwara
• DL Khyiris Tonga

Ed Ingram, who’s listed as a healthy scratch, is a surprise inactive. He lost the starting right guard job to Dalton Risner two weeks ago, but he’s been active and on the sideline for both matchups.

More Vikings vs Cardinals pregame read

• Cardinals vs Vikings Broadcast Map + TV Announcers and Referee Crew for Week 13
• Minnesota Vikings Can Pretty Much Clinch a Playoff Spot vs Cardinals
• Vikings Creeping Up NFL Power Rankings in Week 13

Josh Oliver and Jay Ward were ruled out on Friday. Left tackle Cam Robinson will make the start, after leaving last Sunday’s game with a foot injury. There was also early concern about Sam Darnold, who had to leave last week’s contest momentarily, after hurting his ankle vs the Bears.

It should be noted that newly-acquired quarterback Daniel Jones is on the practice squad and wasn’t eligible for inactive status. We do not know when, or even if Jones will be active on the Minnesota Vikings roster this season.

Josh Oliver won’t play for Minnesota Vikings vs Bears

All season, we have worried about the injury timeline for T.J. Hockenson. Now, it’s fellow tight end, Josh Oliver, who will be sidelined on Sunday, after suffering both a wrist and ankle injury vs the Tennessee Titans, in week 11.

#MINvsCHI injury report

OUT: Josh Oliver

QUESTIONABLE: Gabe Murphy* and Nick Muse*

*Currently within the 21-day practice window pic.twitter.com/je06gol1mk

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) November 22, 2024

Oliver signed as a blocking tight end, but Sam Darnold never got that memo. He’s used 27-year-old San Jose State alum early and often, this year, which is why he’s remained on the field consistently, even after Hockenson returned.

Vikings will miss Oliver

Last season, his first with Minnesota, Oliver posted 213 yards across 17 games. In just 10 games this year, he has 216 yards on three less (19) receptions. His three touchdowns are a career-high. Josh Oliver broke out with 58 yards against the Colts and followed that up with 52 yards against Jacksonville. Last weekend against the Titans, he hauled in all three of his targets for 34 yards.

TD Josh Oliver! Sam Darnold and the @Vikings offense make quick work of the first drive 👏#MINvsLAR on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/j5PtJLEwg8

— NFL (@NFL) October 25, 2024

A year ago Oliver came to the Vikings and very obviously took a back seat to Hockenson. He played just 42% of the offensive snaps while getting in on special teams 35% of the time. With Hockenson out to start the year, Oliver has been a key part of the game plan. He’s played an incredibly high 59% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps. His special teams usage has been dialed back 25%

Related: Vikings Referee Assignment (Week 12) – What to Know About Refs for Vikings vs Bears Game

Nick Muse had his 21-day practice window opened, but he won’t be an option this weekend. That means Kevin O’Connell will have Hockenson and Johnny Mundt at his disposal. Darnold will need to decide if he’s going to lean on the star or sprinkle in Mundt like he has Oliver thus far.

Minnesota has an opportunity to pick up their second divisional win of the season. Caleb Williams and the Bears have continued to look like, well, the Bears. A convincing win would certainly help improve the narrative before returning home to face the Arizona Cardinals.