Even earlier this week, after we thought they had made it through a convincing victory over the Cincinnati Bengals relatively healthy, with reinforcements on the way, KOC revealed Monday afternoon that rookie left guard Donovan Jackson had undergone previously scheduled wrist surgery that morning.

The No. 23 overall pick is expected to be out through the bye week, at least. To make matters worse, on Wednesday when the official injury report came out, standout pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel was a “DNP” with a nick injury.

Andrew Van Ginkel dealing with training camp injury for MN Vikings

O’Connell reminded us that Van Ginkel’s injury is something he and the Vikings have been treating and working through since training camp. Even so, if his status isn’t upgraded on Thursday, there should be real concern about his availability for Sunday morning (local time), in Dublin.

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell on Andrew Van Ginkel not participating in today's practice. pic.twitter.com/ZOB3z2c40N

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 24, 2025

“He came out of the game feeling good. Then he just has had some residual issues, more tied to, probably the neck I would say. He’s out of the protocol and cleared that through the medical process last week. Now we’re just working through what his week is gonna look like leading into Sunday.”

Kevin O’Connell

Van Ginkel returned to the starting lineup in Sunday’s blowout win, after missing week 2 against the Falcons with a concussion he suffered in week 1 vs the Bears. He played just 8 snaps against the Bengals, but collected 2 sacks and one additional QB hit.

Through two games this season, Van Ginkel has the pair of sacks he collected in week three, to go with seven total tackles. With Jonathan Greenard working the other side and Dallas Turner emerging as another elite pass rushing weapon, the Minnesota Vikings roster may have the most formidable group of EDGE rushers in the league.

But if Van Ginkel is unable to go, as was the case in Week 2, then Brian Flores will tap Turner to play an expanded role in Dublin. The former Alabama phenom has a single sack this season, along with nine tackles, two quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss, but his presence has been much more noticeable than 2024, if you are watching the games.

Veterans return for Minnesota Vikings offensive line

Week 3 was the 2025 debut of Christian Darrisaw on the MN Vikings offensive line. With Ryan Kelly out due to a concussion, the starting front five was not complete. Unfortunately, that will continue for the foreseeable future, as we await Jackson’s return.

Thankfully, it does sound like Ryan Kelly will start at center, down the line from Darrsaw, for the first time. If last week was any primer, that should mean good things for both Jordan Mason and Carson Wentz.

Head Coach Kevin O’Connell provides an injury update prior to today’s practice. pic.twitter.com/QZP2HClCqP

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 24, 2025

“Ryan Kelly and Justin Skule will be full participants today. Jonathan Allen will get a veteran rest day. Javon Hargrave and Andrew Van Ginkel, we’ll hold out today. We’re hoping to work them back in as the week goes on.”

Kevin O’Connell

Among the other names O’Connell mentioned, it sounds like Javon Hargrave will get right by Sunday morning. The same cannot be said for Ben Yurosek. If he is unable to go, veteran Nick Vannett will likely be elevated from the practice squad.

Then, there’s the offensive line, where arguable their most desperate injury issues exist; starting with Christian Darrisaw, who has yet to be active. He continues to recover from season-ending knee surgery in 2024.

Hopes were high that the 2021 first round pick would be ready for the Vikings’ opener in Chicago. That’s not how reality played out, and now Darrisaw enters week three still questionable.

In the meantime, week two injuries have caused additional stress in the offensive trenches, newly acquired Ryan Kelly left with a concussion. To make matters worse, so did Darrisaw’s replacement, Justin Skule.

Those departures left an injured JJ McCarthy to finish the second game of his NFL career protected by the Vikings’ third-string left tackle and backup center. Not ideal…

Full Minnesota Vikings starting offensive line at practice Friday

On Friday, however — at the Vikings’ final full practice of the week leading up to their week three contest against the Cincinnati Bengals — the entire starting offensive front was participating at practice. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert was one of the first to spot all five big men, which he reported on Twitter (X).

Vikings C Ryan Kelly and LT Justin Skule, both of whom have been in concussion protocol, were on the practice field today. Doesn’t mean they have been cleared but it’s progress. Christian Darrisaw (knee) was out there as well.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 19, 2025

Unfortunately, Kelly and Skule — who are both recovering from concussions suffered last week — were ruled out shortly after Kevin’s tweet above. Christian Darrisaw got a full practice in on Wednesday, before receiving a scheduled day off on Thursday.

His return Friday was forecasted by the Vikings to reporters, so his participation was not a surprise. All week long, there’s been a quiet confidence amongst media that Darrisaw could make his 2025 debut against the Bengals. It’s worth noting, however, that Christian did not sound all that confident, speaking with media after practice.

Friday’s official Vikings injury report released

Week three will not be the first time we get to see the projected starting offensive line play together in 2025. Friday’s Minnesota Vikings injury report also listed Darrisaw, Austin Keys, Harrison Smith and Andrew Van Ginkel as questionable.

Final #CINvsMIN injury report

OUT: Ryan Kelly, J.J. McCarthy and Justin Skule

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Darrisaw, Austin Keys, Harrison Smith and Andrew Van Ginkel pic.twitter.com/DiUeskDwxX

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 19, 2025

Defensively, we are yet to see Harrison Smith (illness) take the field. Linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) didn’t even last a game. Neither did Jeff Okudah (concussion). In more positive news, it appears Okudah will return on Sunday.

The absences on defense have hurt, no doubt, but the Vikings’ biggest problems in that department have come on offense. We all know about JJ McCarthy’s (ankle) injury, who will now be replaced by Carson Wentz.

But at the skill positions, Jordan Addison still has one game remaining on his three-game suspension, and Aaron Jones (hamstring) just went on injured reserve, where he is obligated to remain for three more weeks.

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.

After a 14-win campaign with Sam Darnold under center, this is now McCarthy’s team. He doesn’t have to clear the same bar his predecessor set, after Sam far exceeded any and all expectations in 2024. This season isn’t about regular season wins and losses or ultimately empty QB statistics.

2025 is about winning playoff games, which means the regular season, and especially the preseason, are about preparing for the postseason. Stay healthy, get into the tournament, then make sure you’re one of the most well-rounded, pressure tested teams remaining, come January.

Entering training camp, the MN Vikings have stars all over the 90-man roster. But only 53 players can make the final cut, and even less will have a direct impact on winning and helping Kevin O’Connell & Co realize their ultimate goal of getting the purple and gold back to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1976-77 season.

Under-the-Radar Minnesota Vikings to watch at training camp/preseason

Some of Minnesota’s 2025 contributors are obvious. We know that the Vikings’ success this season relies heavily on the backs of Justin Jefferson, Aaron Jones, the health of their new-look offensive/defensive lines, and ultimately, the continued development of JJ McCarthy.

But there are also lesser-known talents in Eagan this week — guys that enter camp with an undefined role and undetermined future — who will jump out and surprise coaches, media and fans alike over the next month or two and spin this opportunity into a spot on the 53-man roster and a role on an NFL team.

Here, we have three of those players that fans should keep an eye out for, as the Minnesota Vikings work their way through training camp and the 2025 preseason. These guys aren’t fighting for starting jobs, and won’t always make a mark on the Sunday (or Thursday, Friday, Monday, Thanksgiving, Xmas, etc) boxscore.

But all three will fight for a spot on the final 53-man roster and for fringe playing time in the regular season, should any of the projected players ahead of them fall to injury. A couple could also make a mark on special teams.

Tai Felton (22 years old) – Wide Receiver

For a couple of seasons now, the Minnesota Vikings have been trying to transitioned 2022 6th round pick Jalen Nailor into their WR3 role. So far, the results have been… mixed.

Nailor caught 28 passes from Darnold last season, totaling 414 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. The growing pains have been evident through his first two seasons in the NFL, however, and Nailor’s previous injury history raises even more concerns about his viability as playoff team’s third wide receiver option.

That’s why the Vikings went into this offseason looking for more of a passive upgrade at WR3. First, they signed Rondale Moore as a low-risk, high-upside pickup in free agency. Then, they turned to the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, where they selected 6’2″, 186 lb Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton.

Minnesota Gophers fans may still have nightmares starring Tai Felton. He came to Huntington Bank Stadium last season and blew up Fleck & Co’s top-ranked passing defense to the tune of 9 receptions and 104 receiving yards. For Tai, though, it was just another day at the office.

Tai Felton, WR
22 years old
6-1, 183
Maryland

2024 season: 96 rec, 1,124 yards, 9 TD’s
Led Big Ten in catches & receiving yards

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.37 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.51 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 39.5’’
• Broad Jump: 10’ 10’’pic.twitter.com/GfDFblD1P1

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) April 26, 2025

Last season, the Maryland Terrapin star posted 1,124 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 96 receptions last year. Even with defenses keying in on him week in and week out, Tai Felton outpaced Maryland’s next most prolific receiver (Kaden Prather) by 500 yards, 5 touchdowns and 40 receptions.

Whether Jordan Addison gets a suspension for his “wet reckless” charge or not, Minnesota will need more than three capable wide receivers. Both Rondale Moore and Silas Bolden seem better ticketed for special teams duties. Felton has the talent to not only take over the third role, but make Addison expendable once his rookie deal expires.

It can be a slow burn for wide receivers as they acclimate to the speed of the next level. We’ll see how long it takes Felton, but him standing out during training camp and the preseason shouldn’t be a shock.

Max Brosmer (24 years old) – Quarterback

As stated, the Minnesota Vikings are J.J. McCarthy’s team. Still, head coach Kevin O’Connell has been forced to cycle through quarterbacks in recent seasons, whether that be due to offseason changes or in-season injuries.

This offseason, the Vikings traded for Sam Howell, and they love what Brett Rypien brings to the QB room. But really, there is no veteran quarterback currently on the roster who is coming into camp preordained as McCarthy’s backup.

As a one-and-done Gopher in 2024, Brosmer threw for 2,828 yards at a 66.5% completion rate, hitting on 18 touchdown passes and just 6 interceptions. Had he remained college eligible for one more year in maroon and gold, there is little doubt he would have left owning most of the passing record on campus.

Max Brosmer (Minnesota) is probably my favorite Day 3 QB. Absolute machine on intermediate throws and is by far the best anticipatory passer that I’ve watched. I’d draft him just to specialize as my 3rd & medium QB.pic.twitter.com/wJCRgekYKi

— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 17, 2025

Related: Max Brosmer Already Turning Heads Inside MN Vikings Organization

If he’s half the talent/person/worker/leader that Minnesota Gophers head coach PJ Fleck hails him to be, then there’s really no reason undrafted free agent signee Max Brosmer can’t work his way into the regular season QB room, should the Vikings ponder keeping a third QB active on game days.

Instead, he finds himself fighting for his football life in Eagan. Of course, it’s not fair to expect the world from Brosmer, and it’s difficult to write seriously about him competing for the backup QB job, at least for now. That said, he has all the tools, including a brilliant football mind, of a solid future QB2 in the league.

And there is no doubt he has already impressed Vikings coaches and others around the organization early and often, which has resulted in some chatter over whether or not he can secure the third quarterback role.

Everything Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said today about former Gophers QB Max Brosmer and his respect/friendship with PJ Fleck… 👀

"I have a lot of respect for PJ and his staff and how they coach football over there. [Max's] high-football IQ, I think shows up when he can arrive… pic.twitter.com/MpFrA9Y3VG

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) May 9, 2025

At the least, the 24-year-old former New Hampshire (FCS) superstar has a great opportunity to make MN Vikings coaches think twice about relegating him to the practice squad, where it’ll be easier for other teams to snipe him from the roster.

If nothing else, he’ll get time to show his capabilities as an NFL QB during the preseason, where he should get plenty of run. From there, it’s all up to him… and that’s usually good news for Brosmer, who’s been successfully betting big on himself or years, at multiple levels.

Justin Skule (28 years old) – Offensive Tackle

Christian Darrisaw is the Minnesota Vikings starting left tackle. There are no questions about that. The problem is that he may not be completely ready to go. Darrisaw suffered a torn MCL and ACL last October against the Los Angeles Rams. He is back on the field practicing, but the Vikings are going to be smart.

Last season with Darrisaw went down Minnesota reacted by trading for veteran tackle Cam Robinson. This time around they are a bit more prepared with veteran tackle Justin Skule signing as a free agent this offseason.

Skule was a sixth round pick in 2019 and has 66 games (17 starts) under his belt. He played in all 17 games each of the past two seasons with Tampa Bay, and made five starts for Todd Bowles last year.

With All-Pro Tackle Tristan Wirfs out for a couple of weeks, LT Justin Skule stepped in and despite giving up a sack to Nick Bosa, was solid. Looking forward to seeing him continue to develop. #Bucsfilm2024wk10 pic.twitter.com/z3Ki7K9gKP

— Steven Cheah (@StevenCheah) November 14, 2024

Related: MN Vikings Front Seven Ranked… No. 1 in NFL?

It’s possible that second-year tackle Walter Rouse winds up being a usable offensive lineman in the pros. We don’t know that yet. We do know that Skule is already a usable offensive lineman, and he can slide in for Darrisaw until the star is ready to roll.

Last season Skule graded out as the 43rd (of 140) tackle in the league. He’s neutral in run and pass block scenarios, and not going to light the world on fire. With a level of uncertainty about Darrisaw though, it’s good that Minnesota hedged their bet early. He should get plenty of first team work during training camp.

Minnesota quickly addressed interior deficiencies on both sides of the ball. They added secondary talent as well, and while they went gangbusters out of the gate, there is depth work for them still to accomplish.

Christian Darrisaw suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. He will be back, but that doesn’t mean Minnesota was content with the tackle spots as they were currently constructed.

Justin Skule takes on backup tackle spot for Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell had an absolute boatload of free agents hitting the open market from his 2024 roster. Among them was backup tackle David Quessenberry. No one wanted the former sixth round pick to work in a starting role, but his depth had to be replaced. Enter Justin Skule.

The #Vikings have agreed to terms with T Justin Skule, per source.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) March 13, 2025

Like Quessenberry, Skule is a former sixth round pick. The 28-year-old has spent the past three seasons in Tampa Bay after originally being selected by the San Francisco 49ers. He drew 12 starts in his first two seasons before becoming more of a rotational player in his second stop.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Skyrocket Up NFL O-Line Investment Rankings

Last year with the Buccaneers, Skule started five games and played in all 17. He logged 32% of the offensive snaps in a backup role and contributed another 88 snaps on special teams.

The hope for Minnesota is that the tandem of Brian O’Neill and the recently extended Christian Darrisaw will render Skule useless. The reality is that he will see time to help one or both players eventually.

Minnesota Vikings offensive line overhaul continues

The guard position was a focal point for Minnesota. The Vikings addressed that spot by signing veteran Will Fries. They have now also traded Ed Ingram and will move on from center Garrett Bradbury. Ryan Kelly is taking over as the starting center, and the two talented bookends remain.

It’s likely the Blake Brandel holds down his left guard spot from last season, unless they like a rookie more. 2024 draft pick Walter Rouse could factor in somewhere, and Justin Skule provides the entire unit another depth option.

Related: Vikings Trade One Former Starting O-Lineman, Plan to Release Another

The Minnesota Vikings clearly understand that everything starts up front and are finally making moves to address that reality. Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave join as interior defensive linemen to show a commitment on that side of the ball as well.

Kevin O’Connell is ready to unleash the J.J. McCarthy show, and the additional help up front should help to put him in a position where he can be successful.