Football
 and guard Blake Brandel (64) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</p><p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=388,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Vikings-Helmet-4.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Vikings-Helmet-4.jpg”><figcaption><span>Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) and guard Blake Brandel (64) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Minnesota Vikings are preparing to head into a Sunday Night Football battle with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.</p><p>It marks the team’s second consecutive primetime game to begin the season after they defeated the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football just four days ago. However, this time around, the Vikings will have to overcome adversity as injuries have popped up all over the roster ahead of Week 2.</p><h2>Football Injuries to Key Players on the Vikings’ Roster</h2><div><figure><img loading=)
listed a whopping 12 players on it.Among those names, four players did not participate in practice due to their injuries:
- C Ryan Kelly (Toe)
- CB Jeff Okudah (Concussion)
- TE Josh Oliver (Ankle)
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Concussion)
QB J.J. McCarthy was also listed as a DNP as his fiancée went into labor.
J.J. McCarthy won’t be at #Vikings practice today; his fiancée Katya Kuropas went into labor, so he’s with her as she delivers the couple’s baby boy.
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) September 11, 2025
As for the injuries to the Vikings, news only got worse when Minnesota announced that both RB Ty Chandler and LB Blake Cashman were also placed on injured reserve.
 practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images</p><p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Blake-Cashman.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=662,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Blake-Cashman.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Blake-Cashman-788×442.jpg” alt ><figcaption>Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images<span></span></figcaption></figure></div><p>In addition, safety Harrison Smith was listed as a limited participant once again as he continues to battle a personal health matter. The safety missed Week 1 because of the injury, which resulted in Theo Jackson playing every defensive snap and Jay Ward also getting 25 snaps on defense, a new career-high.</p><p>A new name was also added to the injury report as Isaiah Rodgers was a limited participant due to an elbow injury.</p><div style=)
These injuries come as Minnesota prepare to play an Atlanta Falcons team that brings explosive playmaking ability on the offensive side of the ball. As a result, Minnesota will need other names to step up.
If Van Ginkel were to miss the game, it officially puts a spotlight on Dallas Turner, who has been somewhat hidden on the roster behind Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. Turner once again played less than 50% of Minnesota’s defensive snaps in Week 1, totaling 29. He recorded three tackles over the course of the game.
 and Brian Asamoah II (6) on the field during a summer minicamp session at team headquarters.<br />
Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</p><p>” data-medium-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Andrew-Van-Ginkel-Brian-Asamoah.jpg” data-large-file=”https://vikingsterritory.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=589,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Andrew-Van-Ginkel-Brian-Asamoah.jpg” src=”https://vikingsterritory.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Andrew-Van-Ginkel-Brian-Asamoah-788×394.jpg” alt=”Minnesota Vikings linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Brian Asamoah at June 2025 minicamp practice.” ><figcaption>June 10, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel (43) and Brian Asamoah II (6) on the field during a summer minicamp session at team headquarters.<br />
Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><p>At cornerback, there has been a notable lack of depth at the position all offseason, and that only became more apparent when the Vikings opted to keep just four corners on their initial 53-man roster.</p><p>The Vikings will certainly elevate a CB from their practice squad if both Okudah and Rodgers are forced to miss Sunday night’s game. Fabian Moreau, Zemaiah Vaugh, or the recently signed Tyrek Funderbunk would be candidates to be elevated to the active roster.</p><p>Finally, the center position could belong to Michael Jurgens if Ryan Kelly were to miss the game. It would be Jurgens’ first time playing snaps with the offense if he were to get the call.</p><p>Ultimately, there are a lot of roster decisions to be made in Minnesota ahead of Sunday night. Another injury report will be released on Friday.</p><p>Kickoff between the Falcons and Vikings is scheduled for 7:20 p.m. inside U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, September 14 as Minnesota hopes to improve to 2-0.</p><hr><p><em>Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via <a href=)
Pro Football Reference.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
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