{"id":872678,"date":"2025-09-13T21:12:04","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T02:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/13\/injuries-remain-a-key-issue-on-the-vikings-roster-ahead-of-week-2\/"},"modified":"2025-09-13T21:12:04","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T02:12:04","slug":"injuries-remain-a-key-issue-on-the-vikings-roster-ahead-of-week-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/13\/injuries-remain-a-key-issue-on-the-vikings-roster-ahead-of-week-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Injuries Remain a Key Issue on the Vikings\u2019 Roster Ahead of Week 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Football <\/p>\n<div id=\"content\">\n<p><main role=\"main\"><\/p>\n<section>\n<article id=\"post-145908\">\n<figure><img width=\"788\" height=\"388\" alt decoding=\"sync\" loading=\"eager\"   fetchpriority=\"high\" data-attachment-id=\"141995\" src=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2025\/news\/top_news\/rocks-vikings-minicamp\/attachment\/vikings-helmet-4-2\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Vikings-Helmet-4.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"794,388\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"Canon EOS R3\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1749557367\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"436\",\"iso\":\"1600\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0004\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\"}\" data-image-title=\"Football Vikings Helmet\" data-image-description data-image-caption=\"\n\n<p>Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O\u2019Neill (75) and guard Blake Brandel (64) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-medium-file=&#8221;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&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Vikings-Helmet-4.jpg&#8221;><figcaption><span>Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O&#8217;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>\n<p>The Minnesota Vikings are preparing to head into a Sunday Night Football battle with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend.<\/p>\n<p>It marks the team\u2019s 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>\n<h2>Football Injuries to Key Players on the Vikings\u2019 Roster<\/h2>\n<div>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"419\" data-attachment-id=\"135255\" src=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2024\/news\/top_news\/5-vikings-vying-to-win-end-of-season-awards\/attachment\/avgaward\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/avgaward-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1360\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{\"aperture\":\"4\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"Canon EOS R3\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1733657247\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"258\",\"iso\":\"4000\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0008\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\"}\" data-image-title=\"Football avgaward\" data-image-description data-image-caption=\"\n\n<p>Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-medium-file=&#8221;https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=788,height=444,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/avgaward.jpg&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/width=1180,height=627,fit=crop,quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/avgaward.jpg&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/avgaward-788&#215;419.jpg&#8221; alt  ><figcaption>Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Vikings released their second injury report of the week on Thursday, which <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Vikings\/status\/1966256203551633723\">listed a whopping 12 players on it<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>Among those names, four players did not participate in practice due to their injuries:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>C Ryan Kelly (Toe)<\/li>\n<li>CB Jeff Okudah (Concussion)<\/li>\n<li>TE Josh Oliver (Ankle)<\/li>\n<li>OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (Concussion)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>QB J.J. McCarthy was also listed as a DNP as his fianc\u00e9e went into labor.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div>\n<blockquote data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">J.J. McCarthy won\u2019t be at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Vikings?src=hash&#038;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#Vikings<\/a> practice today; his fianc\u00e9e Katya Kuropas went into labor, so he\u2019s with her as she delivers the couple\u2019s baby boy.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BenGoessling\/status\/1966226477004837196?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2025\/news\/top_news\/vikings-rule-out-2-players-month\">placed on injured reserve<\/a>. <\/p>\n<div>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"442\" data-attachment-id=\"145766\" src=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2025\/news\/top_news\/young-viking-balled-out-too\/attachment\/blake-cashman-2\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Blake-Cashman-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1437\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"Canon EOS R3\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1749558230\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"490\",\"iso\":\"1250\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0003125\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\"}\" data-image-title=\"Football Blake Cashman\" data-image-description data-image-caption=\"\n\n<p>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<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-medium-file=&#8221;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&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;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&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Blake-Cashman-788&#215;442.jpg&#8221; 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>\n<\/div>\n<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>\n<p>A new name was also added to the injury report as Isaiah Rodgers was a limited participant due to an elbow injury. <\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s defensive snaps in Week 1, totaling 29. He recorded three tackles over the course of the game.<\/p>\n<figure><img alt=\"Football\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"394\" data-attachment-id=\"142295\" src=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2025\/news\/analysis\/vikings-hope-real-2025-path\/attachment\/andrew-van-ginkel-brian-asamoah\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/quality=80,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Andrew-Van-Ginkel-Brian-Asamoah-scaled.jpg\" data-orig-size=\"2560,1279\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{\"aperture\":\"5.6\",\"credit\":\"\",\"camera\":\"Canon EOS R3\",\"caption\":\"\",\"created_timestamp\":\"1749558167\",\"copyright\":\"\",\"focal_length\":\"560\",\"iso\":\"1600\",\"shutter_speed\":\"0.0003125\",\"title\":\"\",\"orientation\":\"1\"}\" data-image-title=\"Football Andrew Van Ginkel &#038; Brian Asamoah\" data-image-description data-image-caption=\"\n\n<p>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 \/>\nMandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-medium-file=&#8221;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&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;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&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Andrew-Van-Ginkel-Brian-Asamoah-788&#215;394.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Minnesota Vikings linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Brian Asamoah at June 2025 minicamp practice.&#8221;  ><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 \/>\nMandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<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>\n<p>The Vikings will certainly elevate a CB from their practice squad if both Okudah and Rodgers are forced to miss Sunday night\u2019s game. Fabian Moreau, Zemaiah Vaugh, or the recently signed Tyrek Funderbunk would be candidates to be elevated to the active roster.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, the center position could belong to Michael Jurgens if Ryan Kelly were to miss the game. It would be Jurgens\u2019 first time playing snaps with the offense if he were to get the call.<\/p>\n<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>\n<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>\n<hr>\n<p><em>Editor\u2019s Note: Statistics for this article were found via <a href=\"http:\/\/pro-football-reference.com\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"(opens in a new tab)\">Pro Football Reference<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><img alt=\"Football avatar\" src=\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/5c2ce0cb2e694ccf2217bece24becce8f90e2260871f6247e74f69c59fd93c9c?s=70&#038;d=mm&#038;r=g\"  height=\"70\" width=\"70\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"low\" decoding=\"async\"><\/p>\n<p>Josh  Frey  is  a  senior  writer  at  both  PurplePTSD.com  and  VikingsTerritory.com,  with  a  fascination  for  the  NFL  Draft.  To  &#8230; More about <a href=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/author\/josh-frey\">Josh Frey<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/vikingsterritory.com\/2025\/news\/opinion\/injuries-remain-a-key-issue-on-the-vikings-roster-ahead-of-week-2\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a> Josh Frey<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O&#8217;Neill (75) and guard Blake Brandel (64) practice during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images. The Minnesota Vikings are preparing to head into a Sunday Night Football battle with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend. It marks the team\u2019s<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":872679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3790,3252,2699],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-872678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","category-injuries","category-remain"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=872678"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/872678\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/872679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=872678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=872678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=872678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}