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Minnesota Vikings News and Links: And We’re off!

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The season begins today! Some of yous have given your season prediction in the Sept 2 thread which was great. What will be the biggest key for your prediction to come true? I would say the play of JJ McCarthy is likely the #1 factor for most predictions. I think injury is going to play a role and the depth will be put to the test at some point this season. Which position group are you least comfortable with the depth? I have to go with cornerback.

Minnesota Vikings News and Links​


Vikings-Bears preview: 3 big questions ahead of Monday Night Football

No 1. How will J.J. McCarthy handle the moment?
“As we know, it’s gonna be a big moment for him,” O’Connell told KFAN’s Paul Allen this week. “We want to basically surround him with the best guys we can in the huddle. We feel like we’ve done that. We feel like the other side of the ball’s gonna play good football defensively for us, as well as in the kicking game. And then it’s just gonna come down to a lot of really boring things. It’s gonna come down to footwork and his comfort in doing the things that he’s done a lot now on the practice field and throughout this offseason.”

No 2. Does Ben Johnson really have Brian Flores’ number?
In the four meetings between the Vikings and Lions since Brian Flores was hired as Minnesota’s defensive coordinator two years ago, Detroit scored 30, 30, 31, and 31 points in four victories. The Lions recorded 389, 381, 391, and 394 yards in those games. That’s remarkable consistency. Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and the rest of the Lions’ offense shredded the Vikings’ defense in those meetings. Johnson, of course, was Detroit’s coordinator.

The question is how much of that success was predicated on Johnson out-scheming Flores and how much of it had to do with the execution by the players on a Lions team that went 27-7 overall during those two seasons. Can Johnson have the same success with Caleb Williams and the Bears’ other offensive pieces that he had in Detroit? Will Flores have any schematic adjustments up his sleeve, especially now that he has Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in the middle of his defensive line?

No 3. Will a few key players suit up?
Both teams are dealing with some injury question marks to key players heading into this game. The big one for the Vikings is left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is less than 11 months removed from a major knee injury and sounds like a potential game-time decision on Monday. If he can’t play, backup Justin Skule would be out there, which would be a significant blow to the Vikings’ offense. Safety Harrison Smith’s status is also up in the air, which is another one to watch.



Keys for the offense for the Minnesota Vikings against the Bears in Week 1

Establish the Run
Protect J.J. McCarthy
Feed T.J. Hockenson



Keys for the defense for the Minnesota Vikings against the Bears in Week 1

Last year, Williams had maybe his best game as a rookie when the Vikings came to Soldier Field. He completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns, although the Vikings won in overtime, 30-27.

Winning interior matchups in the pass game
Although the Vikings had one of the best defenses in football last year, they had to manufacture ways to generate pressure from the interior line. They used linebacker Jihad Ward in passing situations and leaned heavily on blitzes.

Unfortunately, this formula was exposed when the Vikings faced the Lions last year. Johnson exploited vacated zones in the middle of the Vikings’ defense. With no viable counterpunch from his interior defensive linemen, Flores went down swinging with the blitz in a 31-9 loss in Week 18.



KOC gives injury updates on Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw, Harrison Smith

Christian Darrisaw has done everything right in his rehab process from last year’s major knee injury, giving himself a real chance to play in Week 1. However, that decision hasn’t been made yet, head coach Kevin O’Connell said on Wednesday.

“He had a great camp, checked every box from a workload standpoint, building into this week,” O’Connell said. “He’ll practice today. Always, with CD, just with how committed he’s been to taking the daily approach, we’ve done the same with him. We’re gonna progress forward and be smart, but we’re gonna give him every opportunity to practice and then see how he feels, and ultimately, in regards to his availability, we’ll make that decision as the week progresses.”

“He looks really good,” O’Connell said. “I think he surprised even himself early on in training camp, as we began that crafted plan by Tyler (Williams) and the doctors and Christian himself. He’s had some really good progression days where we’ve been able to stack it up. And we’re in game week now. He’s gonna take a lot of reps today, if not all of them, and then we’ll see how he feels.”

“Ultimately, Christian’s such an important player to our team that we want to make sure we’re smart about the plan, but also, I think he’s earned the right to, by all the things he’s done — there’s no reason to make the decision for any other reason than what’s best for CD, and he’s gonna be heavily involved in that,” O’Connell said.

“Knowing we’ve got 17 games, including a short week next week, and then ultimately our trip overseas. There’s gotta be a big picture mindset to a player of Christian’s caliber. All that matters is this game to the Minnesota Vikings, Monday night in Chicago, but our jobs are to make sure we’re doing what’s best for the team for the greater duration of 17-plus games. And what that means for Monday night I don’t know as of right now. I just know what my eyes have shown me, what Christian’s demonstrated has given us, through a really calculated plan, a good possibility of (him playing) on Monday night.”

One of the other notable Vikings injury situations to watch this week pertains to safety Harrison Smith, who is recovering from a “personal health matter.” Smith is back at the Vikings’ facility and participated in Wednesday’s walkthrough, but he won’t practice.

“The hope is we can ramp him up,” O’Connell said. “He’s back in the building in meetings and building up his workload for the week, so we’ll see where he’s at throughout the remainder of the week.”



Concerning Justin Jefferson Update Emerges Ahead of Vikings-Bears

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling, Jefferson’s hamstring injury isn’t expected to impact his play, but he could require “long-term maintenance” on his hamstring in practice as a precaution.

“This is going to be a long-term maintenance thing. He’s had enough hamstring [issues] at this point… He practices hard, he does not like to miss practice, I wonder if they would mitigate any of that,” Goessling said on KFAN radio on September 2. “Hamstrings seem like a consistent enough issue for him that I think they are going to treat it with quite a bit of attention.”

Jefferson missed seven games with a right hamstring injury during the 2023 season and revealed that the way he plays could put more stress on his body.

When Jefferson exited the second day of training camp with a hamstring injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell described it as a “very mild” strain.

That was July 25.

“I’m different from a lot of other people,” Jefferson said on August 18.”The way I move, the way my body is positioned, the way I cut and the way I do everything is kind of different than what everyone else does. Different positions I might put a little bit more stress on my body than a normal typical person would.”



Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell reacts to questions over Soldier Field turf

Soldier Field, the aging home of the Bears, played host to five consecutive concerts over Labor Day weekend, culminating with System of a Down and Avenged Sevenfold performing both Sunday and Monday. The Lumineers were the main event Saturday, while My Chemical Romance headlined Friday and Oasis performed in front of 52,000 fans Thursday.

The issue before last year’s preseason opener may have been due to the sod being laid less than a week before the game. Bears kicker Cairo Santo told reporters that the playing surface “was just a little loose” but he though the conditions would “be amazing by Week 1.”

In other words, Santo thought the fresh sod needed some time to reach ideal playing surface status. If that’s true, then the Vikings would be wise to prepare for some less than perfect field conditions Monday night by wearing 7-stud cleats. Regardless, O’Connell doesn’t sound worried.

“This is professional football so our anticipation is the surface is going to be good enough to play on. But I would say this, at some point, the guys in purple and white aren’t going to be the only ones playing on the surface so we’ve gotta do our best to establish, through a lot of different people, once we’ve arrived, once we’ve had a chance to step foot, gotta have our players prepared to play on whatever the surface is,” O’Connell told KFAN-FM 100.3’s Paul Allen on Tuesday.

“And truly, Monday Night Football, NFC North, if they want to clear out some space in the parking lot, we can play out there too. At this point, I would say that is not incredibly high on my priority list.”

However, O’Connell did acknowledge that field conditions have been a pest in the past, and he was clearly hinting at Green Bay’s Lambeau Field, where Vikings players were slipping like crazy in a loss to the Packers on New Year’s Day during his first season as head coach.

“We’ve seen at another location here in the NFC North that happens to have grass and a unique climate, we’ve seen that surface play a major role before. We want to make sure that we’re doing our part to prepare our players. It’s something I will talk about with the guys. We’ll have the equipment available and we’ll go play football,” O’Connell said.



The Vikings focused their offseason on improving in the trenches. Will Fries is the answer

But the player who embodies what the Vikings want to be this season more than any other? It might be the mountain of a man former All-Pro center Olin Kreutz called “a monster.” It might be Will Fries.

The Colts are in the pistol formation. Quarterback Gardner Minshew receives the snap, then hands the ball off to running back Zack Moss. Fries’ task? Lurch and grab the position of Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart.

Fries lunges and grabs Tart’s upper body. Tart tries to escape Fries’ grasp. Fries moves with him, maintaining control and pushing Tart up the field. Moss is in the defense’s grasp at this point, but Fries doesn’t care. He shifts from blocking vertically to simply punishing Tart, pushing him into the turf. After being splayed out on his back, Tart stands up and asks for a flag from the referee. It’s not coming. Everything Fries executed was legal.

These types of finishes from Fries — against those types of defenders — earned the Vikings’ attention. As much as anything else, the aggression Fries plays with is why he was made one of the highest-paid right guards in the NFL. To underscore the point, nasty was necessary.



‘Calm,’ ‘Hungry,’ ‘Infectious’ … ‘Psycho’?: The Many Sides of Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

Hours before Monday’s game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears, quarterback J.J. McCarthy will sit beneath one of the goalposts and close his eyes. He’ll cross his legs. He’ll focus on his breath. His meditation will be underway.

It’s about putting aside the pressures of a first NFL start, stalled in part by a meniscus injury and two surgeries.

“People make it up to be this complex thing where you’ve got to go meditate in the mountains in Tibet for two weeks to really get something done,” McCarthy told me during a press conference at Vikings training camp. “But no, it’s just about being present and just focusing on what’s in front of you, your breath, whatever it may be.”

It feels like his meditation might palliate a perfectionism that eats away at him. He’s a guy who wants to eke out every yard, every rep, every bit of value. It’s what got him on the field as the Vikings’ QB1 at age 22.

“That’s kind of the psycho in me,” McCarthy said during camp. “When a player catches a 20-yard high-cross and I’m like, ‘Could have been 30.’ … Good or bad, focus on the next play and kick it in the teeth.”

It’s hard to say exactly how much a quarterback’s circumstances dictate the outcome of his career. It’s easy to say that the circumstances matter. Minnesota’s defense might make life difficult in practice, but the unit helped lead the Vikings to a 14-win season in 2024. O’Connell’s coaching staff is one of the top three in the league. Jefferson is one of the league’s top two receivers. Aaron Jones is one of the best running backs. And though there’s no guarantee the offensive line will improve, the Vikings made two key changes — signing center Ryan Kelly and drafting guard Donovan Jackson in Round 1 — with the intention of making the unit one of the league’s best.

This situation is too good to mess up.

Right?

McCarthy took his first loss as a starting quarterback in high school, and afterward, a young girl waited in line for an autograph.

Why are you so mad out there? she asked him. You need to smile more.

He explained that it was a bad game for him, and she responded by taking back the Sharpie and drawing a smiley face on McCarthy’s hand.

“It was such a profound moment for how simple it was. I just wore it on my hand for the rest of the games because I took that message to heart, and we went undefeated from there,” McCarthy said back in 2022.

That doesn’t mean the game hasn’t hurt him. It has, badly. Just take a look at the photo of McCarthy standing on the field after TCU beat Michigan in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl.

McCarthy, then a 19-year-old sophomore, finished that game with 343 passing yards, three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and two interceptions. And he clearly agonized over that defeat. In the photo, you can see that the confetti has settled on the turf. The TCU mob has condensed. The emotions have settled. The celebration is clearly wrapping up. And there is McCarthy, with his hands behind his back — studying the victors.

“It gives you chills, because if you know him, you know he’s standing there absorbing that, going, ‘That will be me next year and I will not be standing here. Next year, I will be underneath blue and yellow confetti celebrating a national championship,’” said Greg Holcomb, who has been McCarthy’s private quarterback coach since McCarthy was in seventh grade.

“And sure enough, he did it.”

There are other questions that McCarthy has faced over this offseason of ascent. Some of them stem from the pre-draft process, when the QB’s arm paled in comparison to his draft-class peers, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. And to be fair, that’s true for most NFL quarterbacks. But it’s a question McCarthy answered nonetheless.

“That’s a great question,” McCarthy said. “I would say, you know, a lot of it just comes with the stigma of playing at Michigan, and not throwing the ball a lot. But at the same time, it could be my frame. They don’t see a 6-5, 240 guy, so how can he throw 61 miles per hour at the combine? But at the end of the day, it’s gonna show up, and the people who know, know.”

“That’s why I think he kind of smiles and laughs, because he’s like, ‘Wait till you guys see what I have coming?’” Holcomb said. “It’s that, like, ‘Don’t worry about it. I got something for you.'”

McCarthy might be smiling. He might seem chill. But don’t let it fool you. There’s the “pyscho” in him, like he himself said. Former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh called McCarthy a “killer.” Whatever that quality is, it will serve him well in 2025, because doubt will come. The haters are ready. Minnesota hasn’t lost a game yet. McCarthy hasn’t thrown an interception. But given all the adversity the Vikings have faced in getting their starters on the field, it’s distinctly possible that Minnesota (and McCarthy) won’t get off to the hot start that everyone expects.

“He’s going to have some bad games, he’s going to make some bad throws, he’s going to have some picks,” Holcomb said. “There’s going to be people that are going to be doubting him and all that stuff. And I just don’t think any of that’s going to get to him, and he’s just going to thrive through all of that.”

It’s important McCarthy knows what to do with doubt. It’s coming.

When a college quarterback transfers into a new program, it’s not customary for the incumbent starter to reach out, let alone welcome the newcomer. Because — speaking of doubt — a newcomer can spell problems for the returners in the QB room.

But McCarthy isn’t a man of custom. He’s his own man. And so when Tuttle transferred from Indiana to Michigan in 2023, he was stunned to see a text from McCarthy.

“A lot of people are awkward about that,” Tuttle said. “There’s only one quarterback on the field, right? So there can be some tension at times, and it can be weird. But the first person to reach out to me was J.J. McCarthy. It was like, ‘Welcome. Can’t wait to have you. Excited to meet you.’”

Keep in mind, McCarthy was 19 years old. He had just lost to TCU. He was a year away from winning the national championship and the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year award. This isn’t to say Tuttle was in an open QB competition with McCarthy, but it was a powerful gesture nonetheless. McCarthy eventually doubled down. When Tuttle showed up for practices, McCarthy went over to his backup QB in the middle of drills.

“Dude, you’re really throwing the ball well,” McCarthy said to Tuttle. “You look great. I’m loving that you’re on this team. You look great right now. I know Coach Harbaugh is happy you’re here. I’m just stoked. I just wanted to tell you that.”

Wow, Tuttle thought to himself. No other quarterback has ever said that to me.

McCarthy might face questions about his measurable qualities, but he won’t face them about who he is as a person. He has the personal skills, worth ethic and mentality to take charge of an NFL locker room.

“People with ADHD, they find calm in the chaos and chaos in the calm,” said McCarthy, who was diagnosed with the disorder. “I’ve always felt, ever since I was a kid, just any competitive environment I was in, I felt like I was at home. Playing at Michigan, there’s 110,000 [fans in the stands] and you’re at one of the most prominent universities out there. That’s where I feel most comfortable — when the lights are the brightest, the stage is the biggest stage out there.

“And I know it’s going to be a lot more of that to come.”

“He has a mentality to become great in the league,” tight end T.J. Hockenson said.

“He was a national champion, so I feel like that says everything about him,” Addison said.

“He wants to be great, and he’s hungry,” Aaron Jones said on NFL Network.

His energy is “infectious,” tackle Brian O’Neill said.

You hear superlatives like this all the time when teammates talk about their young QB.

Only McCarthy can prove it all true.



5 bold predictions for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings: McCarthy, Mason, more

J.J. McCarthy throws for 3,600 yards, runs for 400
Jordan Mason runs for double-digit touchdowns
Jordan Addison gets to 1,000 yards despite suspension
Jonathan Greenard has a 17-sack season



Minnesota Vikings 2025 Defense Bold Predictions: Pass rush takes massive step forward, while one position group won’t be an issue if they stay healthy

3 Vikings will register 10 plus sacks
Cornerback won’t be a problem if the room stays healthy
Vikings’ run defense will finish top 10



2025 Unofficial Depth Chart: Vikings at Bears Week 1

NFL Power Rankings: Vikings Open 2025 in 7 to 16 Range



Vikings record predictions, week-by-week picks from Vikings On SI staff

Will Ragatz: 11-6
There are a couple things I’m confident in. One is that, in Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, the Vikings have at least a top-three coaching duo in the league. Those two are experienced and innovative and very good at leading a football team to success. Another is that, quarterbacks aside, the Vikings have at least a top-five roster in the league. The weapons are incredible, led by the best wide receiver on the planet, and the offensive line has been upgraded massively. The defense was the league’s second-best last year and is now improved on paper with the addition of two star pass-rushing defensive tackles. What that means is J.J. McCarthy simply has to steer the ship, take care of the football, and let his natural playmaking ability show up when needed. I think he’ll do just that, even if there may be some ups and downs in the first half of the campaign.

Joe Nelson: 14-3
Tony Liebert: 11-6
Jonathan Harrison: 12-5



Why Bill Barnwell’s critique of the Vikings misses the mark

Why isn’t he picking Minnesota to make the playoffs for the third time in four years under head coach Kevin O’Connell? He gave two main reasons:

No 1. Can’t maintain winning rate in one-score games
No 2. Defense won’t force as many turnovers

Barnwell suspects 22-year-old quarterback J.J. McCarthy will give the Vikings similar production to what they received in recent seasons with Sam Darnold and Kirk Cousins under center, but his instinct is that “a defensive decline and a less fortunate year in one-score contests push the Vikings back toward the middle of the NFC pack.”

“A thrilling defense led the league in turnovers, as the Vikings jumped from 19th in turnover rate to second. That’s difficult to sustain, especially with the Vikings turning over a chunk of their secondary,” Barnwell wrote.

The Vikings let cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin enter free agency, while Cam Bynum signed a free-agent contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Gilmore is still a free agent and Griffin was cut by the Seahawks before re-signing to Seattle’s practice squad. That opened the door for Minnesota to reload in the secondary with Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus returning at safety, while Theo Jackson got promoted to Bynum’s role. The top cornerbacks are 2024 Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. and newcomers Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah.



Kevin O’Connell on Christian Darrisaw’s Week 1 Outlook, J.J. McCarthy’s Debut & NFL’s ‘Most Competitive Division’

Minnesota Vikings have a dire need at cornerback and there are some fascinating prospects



Anthony Barr Retires from Football as Viking Through & Through

Anthony Barr tends to leave things better than he found them.

Whether impacting the Twin Cities community or making play after play on the football field, Barr made his presence felt in all the right ways during his nine seasons as a Vikings linebacker.

Now, he’s back where it all started to write the end of that chapter.

“It’s important for me to retire as a Viking because I am a Viking,” Barr recently told me.

It’s only fitting that as he stepped up to the Vikings media center podium for the final time, Barr quietly took in a room full of not only reporters but also members of the Social Impact team, coaches, personnel staff and, most importantly, former teammates.

An emotional Barr was grateful to see Andrew Sendejo, Audie Cole and Eric Kendricks there to celebrate their brother’s impact on the organization and community. Vikings Legend Scott Studwell also attended the press conference, and Chad Greenway made an earlier appearance to express his congratulations.

Kendricks provided opening remarks, during which he shared quite the ice breaker of an anecdote from a Vikings game in London (more on that later), and introduced Barr, whom he truly considers a “brother from another mother.”

“It’s really good to be back here,” Barr said. “It’s important to me to retire as a Viking because the community means so much, the franchise means so much. It’s a franchise that changed my life, coming here in May 2014 as, really, a young boy trying to find his way playing a game he’s loved his whole life — and got a chance to showcase his talents here.”

He later recalled (with a few chuckles) his first visit to Minnesota leading up to the draft.

“I was coming from California, I was in my T-shirt and my shorts, and I got off the plane and it’s snowing. I’m like, ‘Oh, [dang],’ ” he laughed. “This place is different. Hopefully we don’t come here, because I’m not trying to deal with the snow in April. Six weeks later, they called.

“But it ended up working out,” Barr added with a smile. “Now I actually love the snow more than I do the heat, so that’s kind of changed, being a Cali boy. Now I’m, like, full Minnesota.”

He was a special athlete. But more than that, he was a special teammate, a special friend. A special person.

“A.B. is always gonna be A.B. And that’s what you love about him,” Eric Wilson said.

Harrison Smith, whose Vikings tenure overlapped Barr’s entire career in Purple, called him the smartest teammate Smith’s encountered over 14 seasons.

High praise coming from The Hitman himself.

Smith quipped he didn’t immediately recognize Barr’s smarts because “he didn’t talk for, like, six months.”

“He didn’t talk to anybody for a while, but he was just getting the lay of the land,” Smith said.

Exactly that.

“I’m a very naturally observant person,” Barr said. “I see everything, and I take note on a lot of things I might not vocalize.”

He then was drafted by the Vikings and defensive-minded Mike Zimmer.

“Zim’s very, very smart and can talk football at a high level,” Barr said. “Being under his wing, and being coached by his son Adam, who definitely learned from Mike at a young age and grew up in a football house — their knowledge, being able to observe and absorb all of what we discussed and what they asked for.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of bad habits coming out of college, because I was so new to the position,” he added, “so I could just take coaching and do exactly what they were looking for. It ended up being helpful for me and for the team.”

Barr started all 12 games he played his rookie season, and he was entrusted going into his second year with “green dot” duties that previously were held by Greenway. He excelled in the role, efficiently and smoothly conveying calls to the defense. Even in moments of miscommunication or misunderstanding through the headset, Barr’s shared wavelength with Zimmer — and composure in high-stress moments — allowed him to seamlessly relay the correct information.

“He knew what Zim’ was calling even before he called it,” Smith said.

No matter the situation, Barr didn’t seem fazed.

“I never felt overwhelmed,” he said. “You know, it’s football. You just have to adapt and adjust on the fly … and that was something I enjoyed a lot and took a lot of pride in.”

Even before you saw Barr, you’d know he was coming.

“This guy whistles everywhere he goes. He’s just a whistler. He’s a whistling guy,” Kendricks laughed. “Everybody knows him for the whistles everywhere he goes. The more you’re around him when he’s whistling, the more you start to try to whistle like him, but you can’t really do it.”

Calm in every situation. Strong communicator. Situationally aware.

“I just don’t think people understand how smart of a football player he is,” said Kendricks, who later assumed green dot duties himself. “That rubbed off on me every year I was with him. I truly became a better football player mentally because of him.”

Beyond Barr’s brain is his brawn, of course.

“He was just such a beast,” Greenway described. “The size, the height, the speed. I mean, he just had everything. He was so impressive.

“It was motivating to me to see this young kid, so excited to be here, such a freak athlete, making crazy plays,” Greenway added. “It leveled up my ability to keep playing as a 31, 32-year-old. He was big enough to be so physical inside the box, taking on running backs and linemen, but then also fast enough to cover guys. I mean, he was literally just a freak.”

A linebacker packaged in a defensive end’s body, with the hands of a receiver and speed of a running back?

Offenses, beware.

Aaron Jones, Sr., knows all-too well the difficulty of playing against Barr, as the two faced off within the NFC North on multiple occasions.

Jones, who played for the Packers from 2017-23 before joining the Vikings last offseason, noted he “hated” playing against Barr because he knew just how much he’d be challenged.

“His size, his speed, playing where he did, you don’t see that often; I feel like most of the time those guys have their hand in the dirt,” Jones said. “So, his ability to be able to do that, cover the backside of the backfield, drop into zone, it’s tremendous.

“When he’s coming, all right, you’re getting another pass rusher running at you — and that’s not the easiest thing,” Jones quipped. “There’s a difference between linebackers and DBs rushing you versus outside linebackers and d-linemen. They use their hands, they have different techniques, and Barr had that in his game.

“He made it hard to step up in the A or B gap and block,” he added. “Especially if the gaps are wide open and it’s mano y mano? Buckle up. He’s either gonna give you a move or he’s gonna drive you right back to the quarterback.”

“He’s very unique in the way he was physically built and mentally capable, and he was a smooth athlete, too,” Smith said. “A lot of guys are really powerful and strong and fast, but he was — you could tell he played a lot of sports, just nimble on his feet. A.B. could move in ways you wouldn’t think he should be able to move.”

Even in Barr’s pregame rituals, he gave it all. Quite literally.

Some players listen to a specific song. Some pray. Some (ahem, Harrison Smith) throw back a shot of hot sauce. And Barr? Well, Barr vomited.

Before every single game. Like clockwork.

He didn’t have to make himself, he assured, but it just always happened. Usually into a towel on the bench.

“I kind of liked to experience it,” Smith laughed. “I would go sit next to him. It was just his thing, so I’d get near him. He was getting amped up for the game.”

Added Kendricks: “Guys are quirky, they have rituals. We would all be waiting for that puke to make ourselves feel better about our routine, because it was part of our routine now.”

And then there was the time in London when Kendricks came running out before the game and grabbed a towel off the ground to wipe his face — not realizing it was the towel.

“I just remember tasting and smelling orange peel. And, like, little pieces of orange pulp were on my face as I ran out to play defense,” Kendricks recalled with a laugh, clearly no worse for wear.

“Yeahhh, I felt bad about that,” Barr says now. “But I mean, he probably should have known better.”

Barr’s physical, mental and emotional commitment to the Vikings and to the game he loves were undeniable.

And yet, arguably the most significant legacy Barr established — and continues to foster — hasn’t happened anywhere near the football field.

During Barr’s second season in Minnesota, he and his mom Lori launched Raise the Barr, a nonprofit aimed at helping single-parent families break the cycle of poverty by providing access to post-secondary education, tuition and childcare scholarships.

Raise the Barr has supported single parents and their children in Southern California (Lori and Anthony’s home region) and the Twin Cities over the past nine-plus years. Barr also grew deeply connected as a Viking to Jeremiah Program, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit with a mission that beautifully aligns with Raise the Barr.

Barr connected with countless single mothers and their young ones during fundraiser events, holiday gatherings and humble visits to the center to play with and read books to youth.

Libby Sanders’ family has been tremendously impacted by Jeremiah Program and Barr’s involvement. Libby is a single mother of two (Landon and Dominic) who graduated from Jeremiah Program in 2015 with a degree in human services. After working in elementary schools and juvenile correction reform, Libby returned to school and earned a second degree while participating in JP’s Alumni Fellowship. She now works as a social worker in OB/GYN and supports many pregnant women whose experiences mirror her own.

Reflecting on her experience with Jeremiah Program, where she currently also facilitates Empowerment and Leadership classes, Libby shared how much Barr’s commitment has meant to her and her family.

“Having an NFL player like Anthony invest in single moms the way he does honors the women who stepped into motherhood in a society that often negatively regards single mothers,” Libby said. “Anthony’s work aligns with Jeremiah’s core beliefs that we are all lovable, valuable and important.

“It makes our dreams feel even more possible,” she added. “Not only for us as moms, but in my situation, also for my sons.”


Libby recalled the first time she met Barr in 2017, noting, “What stood out to me was how everyone was there to see him, but he was there to see us.”

Landon, now 15, will likewise never forget that first interaction.

“I remember he was very kind and selfless. His presence felt really warm, kind of like a teacher, but he was very big. His looks didn’t match his personality,” Landon described. “It was really fun because he was there to do fancy stuff with the adults, but he ended up playing football in the hallway with me.”

In words wise beyond his years, Landon emphasized how grateful he is that Barr has kept in touch with Jeremiah Program families from afar.

“It’s really thoughtful, being able to stay connected to someone or somewhere you love even if you don’t live there anymore … like a long-distance relationship,” Landon reflected. “It feels like he can relate to me, knowing we’ve had a similar experience growing up.

“Now I just hope I can continue to have the same experience he’s had, do what I love and connect with people I care about,” added Landon, who started playing linebacker because of Barr and now starts at the position. “I want to be a role model to them like Anthony has been a role model to me.”

For Barr, the Vikings Community Man of the Year in 2021, that’s what it’s all about.

He hasn’t forgotten where he’s come from or the community that helped him grow up in a loving, stable home while Lori completed her education and established a foundation for her family.

He understands consistency is key. For Barr, it’s all about establishing connection and trust.

“I think that’s where the success comes into play,” he said. “You can give anybody $5, but if they don’t know what to do with the $5, then it’s not very impactful. So we try to build that community and build a network for our families so that they don’t feel like they’re going through this unknown aspect of life alone.”

Those touched by Barr’s work through Raise the Barr or Jeremiah Program are forever affected by his genuine heart for making a difference.

“My boys have grown up watching people they consider their friends play in the NFL; they get to wear their jerseys and have these beautiful core memories. That builds confidence. The day they played catch in the hall, Landon actually gave Anthony his signature,” Libby said. “My boys don’t see him as an idol; they see him as a role model, and that is something that will stick with them for the rest of their lives.”

As Barr reflects over his NFL career, it’s only fitting he returns to a place that became a home to officially hang up his cleats.

“I’m really proud of my career and so thankful for the moments and opportunities I was granted by the Wilf family — some of the best owners in sports — and by the coaches and [former Vikings GM] Rick Spielman just giving me the opportunity to play,” Barr said. “And then all my teammates for supporting me. I don’t think they realized how impactful they were on my life. Observing some of the amazing pros that I was able to watch at a young age, whether it’s Linval [Joseph] or B-Rob (Brian Robison) or Everson [Griffen], ‘Zay’ (Rhodes), Dejo, Harry, E.K. … being good people, good humans, but just being amazing teammates and being guys that I loved going to work with. Guys I would put my life on the line for.

“This is the team that gave me an opportunity. They let me come in and be my authentic self, while also expecting and demanding a lot from me,” he said. “It was a two-way street, and I think, for the most part, I held up my end of the bargain; and they did as a franchise, as well.”

As Barr continues making positive differences, and transitions to whatever adventures life next holds for him, one thing is certain:

He’s a Minnesota Viking for life.

“He just is. He’s a Viking,” Smith said, shrugging. “It’s the only place for him.”

Kendricks added: “He deserves his flowers. He put a lot of work in with the organization, he was a leader of so many great defenses, and it’s a great story. It’s only right. It’s how it’s supposed to be.”



NFL teams with male cheerleaders: Updated list for 2025 season, from Vikings to Eagles

11 NFL teams employ male cheerleaders for the 2025 season:

Team : Male cheerleaders : Year introduced
Ravens : 19* : 1998
Saints : 12 : 2018
Buccaneers : 9 : 2019
Commanders : 9 : 2021
Rams : 7 : 2018
Titans : 5 : 2019
Seahawks : 3 : 2019
Eagles : 3 : 2019
Vikings : 2 : 2025
Patriots : 1 : 2019
49ers : 1 : 2023

* Only stunt men.



The Voyage, Episode 1: Joshua Metellus’ Contract Extension, Adam Thielen’s Return & 2025 Preseason

‘GMFB OT’ Previews Vikings-Bears Week 1 ‘MNF’ Matchup




Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:

  • No discussion of politics or religion
  • No feeding of the trolls
  • Leave the gender hatred at the door
  • Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)
  • Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags
  • No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer
  • If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away
  • While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...minnesota-vikings-news-and-links-and-were-off
 
First Injury Report: Vikings at Bears

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The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have released their first injury reports of the 2025-26 campaign in advance of their showdown on Monday Night Football to start the season. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings​

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Christian Darrisaw practiced yesterday, so apparently today’s day off may be part of the ramp-up program for him. I’m still guessing he plays on Monday night, but we’ll get more insight from the next two injury reports.

Harrison Smith has been dealing with an unknown illness for a few weeks now, which casts some doubt on his availability on Monday night. I’m a bit more doubtful with him being in football shape, but again, we’ll see what the next two injury reports have to say. Zavier Scott and Elijah Williams are a bit of a surprise, but as backups less impactful if they don’t play. Jalen Nailor, who had a hand injury and had a proceedure done on it in August seems on track to play on Monday night, as does Van Ginkel, who’s missed a lot of practice time last month with what we now know is a neck injury. Hopefully that’s not something that continues to come up during the season.

Chicago Bears​

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For the Bears, starting inside linebacker T.J. Edwards has yet to practice this week, which would seem to cast some doubt on his availability for Monday night. The Bears’ top cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, missed all of training camp with a groin injury and is ramping up now this week but has been limited today and yesterday. He said earlier this week that if the game were today, he wouldn’t be in shape to play, so there remains some doubt about Johnson’s availability on Monday night as well. Losing one or both of those two starters- and particularly Johnson, would be a big blow for the Bears.

Blackwell, Roschon Johnson, Monangai, Duvernay, and Robinson are backups for the Bears.



We will have updates on the injury reports for both teams tomorrow and Saturday- along with final injury designations for Monday night’s matchup.

Follow me on X/Bluesky @wludford

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minnesota-vikings-injuries/90379/first-injury-report-vikings-at-bears
 
Second Injury Report: Vikings at Bears

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The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have issued the second of three injury reports in advance of their Monday Night matchup. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings​

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Good news on the injury front for Christian Darrisaw, who was a full participant in practice today after not practicing yesterday. I continue to think he’ll play on Monday night but Saturday’s injury report will be the last data point.

Harrison Smith was also limited, which is encouraging, especially if he is full-go tomorrow. We’ll see.

It looks increasingly like Elijah Williams and Zavier Scott will not play on Monday night, assuming they would be active.

Chicago Bears​

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Today’s injury report is not so encouraging for the Bears’ T.J. Edwards, who did not practice for a second day. It seems unlikely at this point he’ll play on Monday night, which would be a significant loss for the Bears’ defense.

The other Bears’ starter on the injury list, Jaylon Johnson, is once again limited. He missed all of training camp with a groin injury and this week has been limited. Seems more like they’re ramping him up for a week two start rather than Monday night, but we’ll see what news tomorrow’s injury report brings.

Roschon Johnson also looks increasingly like he’ll not play on Monday night, which if Kyle Monangai isn’t able to go either, really depletes the Bears’ running back room behind D’Andre Swift.



At this point it looks like may be the only starter the Vikings could be without on Monday night, while the Bears look to be without T.J. Edwards and potentially Jaylon Johnson as well.

Follow me on X/Bluesky @wludford

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minnesota-vikings-injuries/90428/second-injury-report-vikings-at-bears
 
Norse Code Podcast Episode 567: The Uncanny Valley (ft. guest Lorin Cox)

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View Link

*****Download Link Here*****

Episode Notes:

  • I wish we had access to this report before recording, but there’s a damning tell-all on Caleb Williams’ unwillingness to improve or learn as a quarterback with the Chicago Bears at Ty Dunne’s Newsletter, Go Long TD.
  • James Dator at SB Nation has pointed out the “taunting problem” with regard to NFL enforcement before. This article goes back to 2021.
  • The Kevin O’Connell offense has been fun to dissect. Matthew Coller did it for Purple Insider here and Nick Kehoe did for Football Film Room here. Wide Left has also done it a few times, like here and here.
  • Find out more about the BoobDoc01 scoop here.
  • Get in on the Labubu bubble before it bursts


Follow us on Twitter / Bluesky


To listen to more, this is the link to that iTunes feed. If you can’t for whatever reason subscribe via iTunes, subscribe to via our RSS feed, which should support the RSS reader or podcast organizer of your choice. You can still leave a review even if you can’t subscribe via iTunes because it’s easy to create an AppleID. We also have a YouTube channel. Our podcasts are automatically uploaded there.

You can visit our shop here. Buy a onesie? Maybe a wiggler sticker?

But we also have a Patreon and that should make it even easier to support the best podcast for your Minnesota Vikings. We have a discord just for our Patreon supporters, along with special edition episodes. Check it out here. If you wanted to donate via Paypal instead of Patreon, head to this link.

And if you want something to show off your support of the show, buy our merch! We have multiple designs. Please do not buy a shower curtain.

Once again, contact me at arifmhasan (at) gmail dot com or the podcast at NorseCodePodcast (at) gmail dot com. Follow us on twitter at @NorseCodeDN or just me @ArifHasanNFL

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...ode-567-the-uncanny-valley-ft-guest-lorin-cox
 
Final Injury Report: Vikings at Bears

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The Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears have issued their final injury reports ahead of their Monday night matchup, along with injury designations. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings​


OUT: Elijah Williams and Zavier Scott

DOUBTFUL: Harrison Smith

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Darrisaw

The ‘doubtful’ designation on Harrison Smith, who has been limited in the last two practices this week after missing the first one, seems like he won’t play on Monday night but is continuing to ramp up for a more likely week two start.

Christian Darrisaw was a full participant in Saturday’s practice and was in Friday’s practice as well, so it would seem more likely that he plays than not plays on Monday night.

Chicago Bears​

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Given that Bears’ starting linebacker T.J. Edwards didn’t practice all week, he is not likely to play on Monday night. A ‘doubtful’ designation translates to a 75% chance of not playing and I believe an even higher percentage actually do not play with that designation.

The Bears’ best starting corner Jaylon Johnson being listed as questionable indicates a 50/50 chance of his playing. However, given he was limited in all practices this week after missing all of training camp, I would be more surprised if he did play rather than if he didn’t.



Follow me on X/Bluesky @wludford

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minnesota-vikings-injuries/90453/final-injury-report-vikings-at-bears
 
Daily Norseman Staff NFL Picks, Week 1

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Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s the time of year for our staff of learned pro football blowhards to put their (fake) money where their mouths are and post their picks for the 2025 NFL season. We’ve done this over the past few years, and we’re doing it again this year.

We’ve got a bunch of our staff members who will be doing this each week, and we’ll be tracking everything the way we have over the past few season. Once again, we’ll be utilizing the software provided by the folks at Tallysight to put these together.

So, if you’d like to follow any of our bets. . .lord help you. . .we’re giving you the means to do that. As always, we remind you that the numbers for these games change based on when everyone punched their picks into the Tallysight system.

Without any further ado, let’s get to Week 1!

Unanimous Picks​

  • Washington Commanders over New York Giants
  • Arizona Cardinals over New Orleans Saints
  • Cincinnati Bengals over Cleveland Browns
  • San Francisco 49ers over Seattle Seahawks
  • Denver Broncos over Tennessee Titans
  • Philadelphia Eagles over Dallas Cowboys (everyone gets it right)

6-1 Picks​

  • Miami Dolphins over Indianapolis Colts (Shawn dissenting)
  • Minnesota Vikings over Chicago Bears (Shawn dissenting)

5-2 Picks​

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Atlanta Falcons (Chris and GA Skol dissenting)
  • New England Patriots over Las Vegas Raiders (GA Skol and Mark dissenting)
  • Detroit Lions over Green Bay Packers (Eric and Shawn dissenting)
  • Houston Texans over Los Angeles Rams (Eric and Warren dissenting)
  • Kansas City Chiefs over Los Angeles Chargers (Chris and Sam get it right)

4-3 Picks​

  • Pittsburgh Steelers over New York Jets (Eric, GA Skol, and Sam dissenting)
  • Jacksonville Jaguars over Carolina Panthers (Chris, Eric, and Shawn dissenting)
  • Buffalo Bills over Baltimore Ravens (GA Skol, Shawn, and Warren dissenting)

Those are our selections for this week, ladies and gentlemen. Who are you rolling with in Week 1 in the NFL?

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/daily...eman-staff-nfl-picks-week-1-minnesota-vikings
 
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears: Game Time, Channel, Radio, Streaming and more

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Well, now that all of the lesser games are officially out of the way, it’s time to gird our collective loins for the main event as our Minnesota Vikings make their annual trip to Soldier Field to face the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football to wrap up Week 1 in the National Football League.

We want as many people to be able to follow along with the action as possible, so we’re giving you all of the ways to do that right here in one place. Let’s get to it, shall we?

Television Info​


Kickoff for this one is going to be later on this evening, as things are scheduled to get underway in Chicago at 7:15 PM Central on this Monday night. This game will be aired on both ESPN and on ABC affiliates around the country, including KSTP-5 in the Twin Cities. It’s literally the only game left in Week 1, so if you flip your television to either ESPN or your local ABC affiliate, you will find the game there. Seriously, I promise.

Of course, that means we get the privilege. . .such as it is. . .of having Joe Buck and Troy Aikman in the booth for this one. Then again, you can always turn it to ESPN2 and watch the Manningcast, in which Peyton and Eli and some of their famous friends will be talking about the game and getting up to some undoubtedly wacky hijinks.

(This might be the first time the word “hijinks” has ever been used on DN. We’re evolving or something.)

Radio Info​


If you’re going to be traveling or just prefer to listen to things through the magic of radio, we have updated our list of Vikings Radio Network affiliates for this season. Wherever you are in the upper Midwest, you should be covered.

If you have satellite radio, you can catch the Vikings feed on Channel 226. You can also listen to the national broadcast from Westwood One on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Channel 88. In addition, if you’re so inclined, you can listen en español on Channel 227. If you’re utilizing the SiriusXM app, you can listen on the Vikings’ permanent home there, which is Channel 820.

Referee Info​


According to the gang at Football Zebras, the officiating crew for this one will be headed up by Alan Eck. This is Eck’s third season as a head referee, and the first time he has ever worked a Minnesota Vikings game in that capacity. We’ll know whether he hates us or not by the end of the night, I reckon.

Weather Info​


Weather delays have been all the rage around the NFL in Week 1, but our friends at WeatherNation are happy to let us know that there’s no real chance of that happening in Chicago this evening. Temperatures at kickoff are forecast to be in the upper 60s under mostly clear skies with some winds out of the southeast at 5-10 miles/hour.

Betting Info​


According to FanDuel, the Vikings remain a slight favorite in this one, with the line being Vikings -1.5 as things stand right now. The over/under has remained steady since the lines opened at 43.5 points.

Streaming Info​


If you have the ESPN+ app, you should be able to watch this game and every other Monday Night Football game this year through that app. You should be able to watch it through the ABC app if you log in with your cable or satellite provider, and I believe the NFL+ app has it as well.

Don’t share illegal streams on this website. We won’t put up with it.

That should be all of the information you need to follow along with the action from Soldier Field on this Monday night between the Chicago Bears and our Minnesota Vikings. We will provide our usual coverage with the first Open Thread dropping approximately 30 minutes before kickoff at 6:45 PM Central and following that up with a new thread for the start of each quarter. We hope to see a lot of you here for this week’s game!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...icago-bears-game-time-channel-radio-streaming
 
Vikings Downgrade Harrison Smith to OUT

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When they open their 2025 season on Monday night in Chicago, the Minnesota Vikings will be without their elder statesman.

S Harrison Smith (illness) has been downgraded to out and will not travel with the team. pic.twitter.com/ZU92QFc9rk

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 7, 2025

The team announced just moments ago that safety Harrison Smith will not travel with the team to Chicago today and has been downgraded to “out” for the contest.

Smith has only practiced once since the 11th of August, as he has been dealing with some sort of personal health issue. He did return to practice earlier this week, but it wasn’t a realistic expectation for him to play tomorrow night.

The good news is that Smith is making progress from whatever the issue is that he’s dealing with and will, hopefully, be back as soon as possible.

With Smith’s absence, the Vikings will likely be using a lot more of Theo Jackson at the safety spot. Jackson signed a contract extension with the team during the offseason and the thinking is that he’s going to be a bigger part of the defense going forward. The team also has veteran K’Von Wallace on the practice squad, so they could bring hium up if they need depth at the position as well.

Once again, safety Harrison Smith has been declared “out” for Monday Night Football and will not travel with the team for the contest.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...smith-out-chicago-bears-monday-night-football
 
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears: Second Quarter Recap and Third Quarter Discussion

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We’ve reached halftime at Soldier Field, and the Minnesota Vikings trail the Chicago Bears by a score of 10-6 in a game that, quite frankly, could be a whole lot worse.

The first play of the quarter saw J.J. McCarthy unload a deep pass toward Aaron Jones down the sideline, and the pass fell incomplete but the Bears got called for a pass interference penalty to move the ball into Chicago territory for the purple. McCarthy then scrambled for 11 more yards and another first down to put the Vikings into the red zone for the first time this season. McCarthy’s pass for Justin Jefferson on the next third down fell incomplete, and the Vikings got their first points of the season on a 31-yard Will Reichard field goal to make it 7-3 early in the second quarter.

The Bears then moved the ball down the field again and found themselves facing a 4th-and-3 from the Minnesota 24-yard line. Ben Johnson kept his offense on the field and Caleb Williams finally threw an incompletion to give the Vikings’ defense a stop and a turnover on downs.

Unfortunately, the Vikings’ offense could do nothing with the momentum, as they once again went three and out when their third down pass to Jefferson was about a yard short of the line to gain. Ryan Wright punted it away and the Bears started out at their own 35-yard line.

The Vikings’ defense then forced a three-and-out of their own and took over at their own 24-yard line with just under six minutes left in the half. But it didn’t matter, as they managed to go three-and-out once again, and the Bears started out with good field position near their own 40. They pushed into Minnesota territory once again, and added to their lead on a 42-yard field goal from Cairo Santos to make it 10-3.

The Vikings got the ball back with 24 seconds left in the half, and McCarthy then made his best throw of the night, connecting with Jalen Nailor for a gain of 33 yards to the Chicago 36-yard line. With no timeouts remaining, the Vikings brought Will Reichard out for a 59-yard field goal attempt, and he drilled it to make it 10-6 heading into the locker room at halftime.

Honestly, this could be a whole lot worse for the Vikings right now, given the way the offense has looked. The Bears have made a lot of mistakes, but the purple need to pick things up in a big way in the second half, where the Bears will get the ball first.

We’re at halftime in Chicago, and the Vikings trail the Bears by a score of 10-6. Come on in and join us for the third quarter of play!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...nd-quarter-recap-and-third-quarter-discussion
 
2025 NFL Week 2: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings

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Coming off of their thrilling Monday Night Football victory to start the season, the Minnesota Vikings will prepare for another prime time contest in Week 2 when they host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium.

As we all saw on Monday night, the Vikings overcame a 17-6 fourth quarter deficit, roaring back with 21 unanswered points to win their sixth consecutive game at Soldier Field, 27-24 over the Chicago Bears. The Falcons were not quite as lucky, as they dropped their Week 1 contest to one of their division rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta had an opportunity to send the game to overtime, but Younghoe Koo pushed his 44-yard attempt wide to the right to give the Bucs a 23-20 victory.

This game will be another matchup of quarterbacks from the draft class of 2024. J.J. McCarthy was the #10 overall pick that season, while the Falcons are quarterbacked by Michael Penix Jr, who was selected at #8 overall. McCarthy struggled in the first three quarters of his NFL debut, but came roaring back in the fourth quarter with three touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground, to lead Minnesota’s comeback. Penix had a solid season opener for the Falcons, completing 27-of-42 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown in Atlanta’s loss.

This is the third consecutive season that the Vikings and the Falcons have faced off, and the Vikings are looking for their third straight win. In 2023, the Vikings traveled to Atlanta and won when Josh Dobbs came off the bench in relief of Jaren Hall and engineered a 31-28 victory. Last season, the Vikings welcomed Kirk Cousins back to U.S. Bank Stadium, as Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison combined to catch all five of Sam Darnold’s touchdown passes in a 42-21 blowout win.

This prime time contest will be broadcast on NBC, including KARE-11 in the Twin Cities area, with kickoff slated for 7:20 PM Central time on Sunday night.

We will be putting all of our information about this matchup right here in our weekly stream, so be sure to keep coming back and refreshing for the latest news!


Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...lcons-minnesota-vikings-sunday-night-football
 
Minnesota Vikings in the Power Rankings — Entering Week 2

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Hello again sports fans. We’re back with another season of putting together a consensus power ranking for the Vikings each week, and with Week 1 now in the rear-view mirror, we’re off and running.

Let’s talk to it (rankings are hyperlinked for maximum clickage):

The Rankings​

NFL.com — 11th​


Key excerpt: “But when the Bears missed a field goal that would’ve given them a two-touchdown lead, something clicked in McCarthy — and he went nuclear…the night belonged to McCarthy — a Bears fan growing up — finding his way through some serious adversity.”

The Athletic/New York Times — 12th​


Key excerpt: “They’re so well coached.”

ESPN.com — 13th​


Key excerpt: “O’Connell said Mason’s hard running helped open up the passing lanes for quarterback J.J. McCarthy and helped lead to three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.”

Pro Football Talk — 12th​


Key excerpt: “In 15 minutes of football, J.J. McCarthy gave Vikings fans reason to believe they finally have a long-term answer at quarterback.”

CBS Sports (Pete Prisco) — 14th​


Key excerpt: “Quarterback J.J. McCarthy bounced back after a bad start against the Bears, which is a great sign for the season. The defense also came alive.”

Palm Beach Post (Joe Schad) — 6th (updated before MNF, for some reason?)​


Key excerpt: “Key offseason addition: Jonathan Allen” (all due respect but his captions are lame every single week)

The Score — 7th​


Key excerpt: The Vikings are better than last year…This team has everything it needs to support a young quarterback learning on the fly.”

NFL Trade Rumors — 14th​


Key excerpt: “Minnesota has a playoff-caliber roster, and if McCarthy can be steady, they’ll be dangerous.”

Sports Illustrated — 11th​


Key excerpt: “(McCarthy)’s going to be just fine, especially now that we’ve seen the resilience factor play out on a big stage.”

USA Today — 15th​


Key excerpt: “Or is it Michigan? It wasn’t necessarily pretty, but QB J.J. McCarthy made the plays when he needed to, otherwise relying on a very talented supporting cast, as his team won its Big Ten, er NFC North, opener.“

Yahoo! Sports — 8th​


Key excerpt: “Many quarterbacks would have folded in their first start if they played like J.J. McCarthy did in the first three quarters. McCarthy stayed in the fight and had two passing touchdowns and a rushing score in the fourth quarter of a comeback win. That was telling.”

The 33rd Team — No longer does power rankings.​


Key excerpt: Pour one out for our friends at The 33rd Team.

Marquee Sports Network — It appears Marquee does not do them anymore, either.​


Key excerpt: Feel free to suggest more outlets, then.

New York Post — 17th​


Key excerpt: For some reason, the Vikings did not get a comment, but the following 0-1 teams were ranked ahead of them — the Ravens (fourth), Chiefs (sixth), Lions (seventh), Cowboys (14, which…..what?). The only 1-0 teams ranked behind the Vikings were the Raiders (19th), Cardinals (21st) and Jaguars (22nd).

—————

Average ranking: 4.71 (66 ranking points/12 rankings)

Spare thoughts: I don’t really understand the comment on the USA Today blurb. I mean I do; I just don’t think it’s funny. I will withhold judgment on this week’s consensus rankings, but I feel confident the Vikings will be quite a bit higher when we meet in this space a week from now.

What do you think? Join the conversation below (and recommend other power rankings to add if you wish)!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...vikings-in-the-power-rankings-entering-week-2
 
Vikes Views: Nincompoop of the Week – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

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The first win of the year is always sweet. It’s even sweeter when it’s a come from behind victory against a division rival on national television. The Minnesota Vikings came back to beat the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football 27-24. More than half of the game’s points were scored in the 4th quarter. There were some mistakes made and players who looked rusty. Here’s my nominees for Nincompoop of the Week.

NOTW is supposted to be fun, enjoyable, and in no way serious.

Caleb Williams​


Why is Williams a Nincompoop? He’s shown so little improvement. Williams still holds on to the ball too long. He’s not there when the team needs him the most.

Ben Johnson​


Why is Johnson a Nincompoop? He looked like a first time head coach out there. The time management at the end of the game was laughable. To let the Vikings have a returnable kick and get to the two minute warning cost his team 40 seconds. It went from extremely difficult to nearly impossible to come back at that point. It’s probably too early to expect to see Johnson’s impact on Caleb Williams’ play, but he’ll be expecting more out of his QB by the end of the season.

Justin Skule​


Why is Skule a Nincompoop? Skule was doing his best TJ Clemmings impression early in the game. J.J. McCarthy had no time to throw because of his Left Tackle. Skule filled in poorly for the recovering Christian Darrisaw. McCarthy will be hoping to only see Skule on the practice field going forward.

Ryan Wright​


Why is Wright a Nincompoop? It’s probably a little harsh, because overall he was ok, but he had a couple of poor punts mixed in. The 31 yarder in the 2nd quarter was a shank. His 1st punt of the game was returned for 22 yards as well. Not the worst kick, but returnable. Nitpicking the win.

Dallas Turner​


Why is Turner a Nincompoop? Turner was a 1st round pick. He was anticipated to be selected higher than he was and Kwesi decided to trade up to select him. He came out of Alabama with high expectations and so far he has failed to make an impact. Only 2 pressures generated on 19 snaps for Turner on Monday. He’ll need to show some imporvement soon.

J.J. McCarthy Haters​


Why are the haters Nincompoops? McCarthy is a winner. He knows how to perform when the team needs him the most. The opposite of the Bears’ QB. Eat it Chicago.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...f-the-week-minnesota-vikings-at-chicago-bears
 
First Injury Report: Falcons at Vikings

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The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons have issued their first injury reports of the week in advance of their Sunday night showdown. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings​


Did not participate

  • LB Blake Cashman, hamstring
  • OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, concussion
  • RB Ty Chandler, knee
  • CB Jeff Okudah, concussion
  • C Ryan Kelly, toe
  • TE Josh Oliver, ankle

Limited participation

  • S Harrison Smith, illness
  • PR/KR Myles Price, knee

Full participation

  • LT Christian Darrisaw, knee
  • WR Jalen Nailor, hand
  • RB Zavier Scott, ankle
  • DT Elijah Williams, hamstring

For the Vikings, Blake Cashman has a hamstring injury he suffered in Monday night’s game that will keep him out this week and probably a couple more. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah are in concussion protocol. The fact that it is a short week makes it less likely they will clear that protocol in time to play Sunday night, but we’ll see. Ty Chandler suffered a knee injury Monday night that will cause him to miss some time, including Sunday night’s game.

Christian Darrisaw was close to being ready to play Monday night, so it seems likely he will play Sunday night. Harrison Smith remains more of a question mark. In part because we don’t know what his injury is exactly. It had been described as an illness, but Smith described it as a “physical” injury and that the situation is fluid this week, but that’s all we know. I don’t get the vibe that he’ll play this weekend, but we’ll see.

The rest on the list are dealing more with bumps and bruises, according to Kevin O’Connell today, which would seem to indicate they are likely to play on Sunday night.

Atlanta Falcons​


Limited participation

  • WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder)
  • WR Drake London (shoulder)
  • S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring)
  • EDGE James Pearce Jr. (groin)

Did not participate

  • WR Casey Washington (concussion)
  • WR Jamal Agnew (groin)
  • S Jordan Fuller (knee)
  • OL Jack Nelson (calf)

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he expects Drake London to play on Sunday night, but they are taking more of a wait and see approach with Darnell Moody. A third Falcons wide receiver, Casey Washington, is in concussion protocol. Washington has been the backup to Mooney.



My guess is that we won’t have much clarity on those in concussion protocol until the end of the week, but we’ll see what the remaining two injury reports reveal.

Follow me on X/Bluesky @wludford

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne.../90632/first-injury-report-falcons-at-vikings
 
Blake Cashman, Ty Chandler to Miss Time With Injuries

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As they prepare for their second consecutive prime time contest, the Minnesota Vikings are going to be without at least a couple of pieces for a stretch and could have some other issues to deal with as well.

At a press conference today, head coach Kevin O’Connell said that both linebacker Blake Cashman and running back Ty Chandler are going to miss some time with injuries, though the amount of time has not yet been determined. He also said that outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and cornerback Jeff Okudah are currently in concussion protocol.

Cashman was injured during the fourth quarter when he pulled up while attempting to chase down Bears’ quarterback Caleb Williams on a scramble. He was taken out of the game and immediately ruled out for the rest of the contest, an indication that something significant was wrong. He’s got a hamstring issue, and we know how tricky those can be to judge and recover from.

Chandler had one of the more crucial plays of the game, as he fielded the final kickoff from the Bears and ran it out from deep in the end zone to negate a potential two-minute warning timeout for Chicago. He must have gotten injured on that play, as he had been back with Myles Price for the team’s kick returns all game, and all we know is that he has a knee injury. No word yet on its severity.

Okudah and Van Ginkel will be evaluated throughout the week, and we’ll get an idea when the first injury reports for Sunday’s game will be out in a little while here. Warren will bring you those when they’re available.

Depending on how severe the injuries are, particularly Cashman’s hamstring issue, the Vikings could put players on injured reserve. Taking that action would mean those player(s) would be out for four weeks, which would essentially give them six weeks to fully recover as the Vikings have their bye in Week 6. That would mean a player placed on IR this week could be back in time for the team’s Week 7 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium.

As we said, we’ll be keeping an eye on these injury situations and bringing you more news on them as that information becomes available.

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...chandler-miss-time-injuries-minnesota-vikings
 
Second Injury Report: Falcons at Vikings

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The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons have issued their second injury report of the week in advance of their Sunday night game. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings​


Did not participate

  • LB Blake Cashman, hamstring
  • OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, concussion
  • RB Ty Chandler, knee
  • CB Jeff Okudah, concussion
  • C Ryan Kelly, toe
  • TE Josh Oliver, ankle
  • QB J.J. McCarthy, personal (birth of his son)

Limited participation

  • S Harrison Smith, illness
  • PR/KR Myles Price, knee
  • LT Christian Darrisaw, knee
  • RB Zavier Scott, ankle
  • CB Isaiah Rodgers, elbow

Full participation

  • WR Jalen Nailor, hand
  • DT Elijah Williams, hamstring

Largely the same status for players on yesterday’s list, except both Christian Darrisaw and Zavier Scott were downgraded from full to limited. Darrisaw seems to be on this full-limited-full schedule so that may not be a big deal regarding his status for Sunday night. Scott being downgraded may be more significant.

There were also two additions: J.J. McCarthy didn’t practice due to the birth of his son- congratulations McCarthy family! – and Isaiah Rodgers was limited with an elbow injury. I don’t expect that to be significant enough to keep him out Sunday night, however.

Atlanta Falcons​


Limited participation

  • WR Darnell Mooney (shoulder)
  • WR Drake London (shoulder)
  • S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring)
  • EDGE James Pearce Jr. (groin)
  • S Billy Bowman Jr. (shoulder)

Did not participate

  • WR Casey Washington (concussion)
  • WR Jamal Agnew (groin)
  • S Jordan Fuller (knee)
  • OL Jack Nelson (calf)

Same status for everyone on the Falcons injury report today, but with the addition of Billy Bowman who was limited with a shoulder injury. The key injury to watch is WR Darnell Mooney, who is a starter for the Falcons and has been a productive receiver. His status remains up in the air for Sunday night. Casey Washington has been Mooney’s backup, so if he doesn’t clear concussion protocol, the Falcons could be playing their third string wide receiver.



At the moment for the Vikings starters, Cashman and Chandler are definitely out for Sunday night, while Van Ginkel and Okudah seem more doubtful to clear concussion protocol on a short week, but I expect Darrisaw to be back, but doubtful on Harrison Smith from what I can gather. Not sure on Josh Oliver and Ryan Kelly but based on Kevin O’Connell’s description of injuries these aren’t likely to keep them out Sunday night.

For the Falcons, Mooney seems questionable at this point among starters, not sure about Bowman. Drake London is likely to play.

Follow me on X/Bluesky @wludford

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...90657/second-injury-report-falcons-at-vikings
 
Final Injury Report: Falcons at Vikings

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The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons have issued their final injury report of the week in advance of their Sunday night game, along with injury statuses. Here they are:

Minnesota Vikings​


  • CB Jeff Okudah, concussion, OUT
  • OLB Andrew Van Ginkel, concussion, OUT
  • S Harrison Smith, Illness, QUESTIONABLE
  • LT Christian Darrisaw, knee, OUT
  • LB Austin Keys, groin, QUESTIONABLE

For the Vikings, Blake Cashman and Ty Chandler were placed on IR so they no longer appear on the injury report but will miss at least four games beginning Sunday night. Neither Okudah or Van Ginkel made it through concussion protocol so they will be out Sunday night too. Christian Darrisaw I’m assuming experienced some swelling or other issue so was downgraded to out this week. Hopefully this isn’t an ongoing issue. Austin Keys was a late addition, but given he was a full participant in practice, he seems likely to play. Other guys that were listed earlier in the week- Ryan Kelly and Josh Oliver for example, we’re full participants in practice and have no injury designation for Sunday night’s prime time game.

.

Atlanta Falcons​


  • S DeMarcco Hellams, hamstring, QUESTIONABLE
  • EDGE James Pearce Jr., groin, QUESTIONABLE
  • S Billy Bowman Jr., shoulder, QUESTIONABLE
  • WR Casey Washington, concussion, OUT
  • WR Jamal Agnew, groin, OUT
  • S Jordan Fuller, knee, OUT
  • OL Jack Nelson, calf, OUT

For the Falcons, they got some good news that WR Darnell Mooney will not have an injury designation after suffering a shoulder injury and will play Sunday night. Billy Bowman Jr. is their only starter with an injury designation and is questionable for Sunday night.



Overall, disappointing that Christian Darrisaw is not able to return yet and missing Van Ginkel, Cashman, Okudah, and quite possibly Harrison Smith (who was limited in Friday’s practice) will test their depth defensively.

Follow me on X/Bluesky @wludford

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne.../90707/final-injury-report-falcons-at-vikings
 
J.J. McCarthy, Katya Kuropas Welcome Healthy Baby Boy

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On Monday night, J.J. McCarthy delivered the first of what will be many National Football League victory as he led the Minnesota Vikings’ furious comeback over the Chicago Bears. On Thursday, his fiancee made a much more significant delivery.


Katya Kuropas, McCarthy’s long-time fiancée, gave birth to the couple’s first child on Thursday, an eight-pound, seven-ounce baby boy whom they have christened Rome Micah McCarthy. Mom and baby are both, reportedly, just fine after the birth.

McCarthy did not practice on Thursday, as he departed for the hospital after Katya had gone into labor. He took part in team meetings earlier in the day and, by all accounts, he will be good to go for Sunday night’s home opener at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Atlanta Falcons.

Kuropas and McCarthy have been together since high school, and McCarthy proposed in January of 2024, just after he led the Michigan Wolverines to a victory over Washington in the College Football Championship.

Congratulations to J.J. McCarthy and Katya Kuropas on their new arrival, and welcome to the world, Rome!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...ya-kuropas-healthy-baby-boy-minnesota-vikings
 
Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings: Game Time, Channel, Radio, Streaming and More

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It’s a second consecutive week in prime time for our Minnesota Vikings, as they’ll play their first home game of the 2025 NFL season against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. We want everyone to be able to follow along with the game by whatever means they feel most comfortable with, so we’re putting all of the information you need in one place.

Television Info​


Kickoff for this one is going to be a bit later again, as things are scheduled to get underway at U.S. Bank Stadium at 7:15 PM Central time on Sunday evening. This is, literally, the only game in town for Sunday night, and you’ll be able to find it on your local NBC affiliate, including KARE-11 in the Twin Cities area. Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth will handle the call from the booth for tonight’s contest.

Radio Info​


If you’re going to be traveling or just prefer to listen to things through the magic of radio, we have updated our list of Vikings Radio Network affiliates for this season. Wherever you are in the upper Midwest, you should be covered.

If you have satellite radio, you can catch the Vikings feed on Channel 225. You can also listen to the national broadcast from Westwood One on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Channel 88. In addition, if you’re so inclined, you can listen en español on Channel 227. If you’re utilizing the SiriusXM app, you can listen on the Vikings’ permanent home there, which is Channel 820.

Referee Info​


According to the folks from Football Zebras, the officiating crew for this one will be headed up by (yo) Adrian Hill. The last time a Hill-led crew worked a Minnesota Vikings game was a bit of an ugly one, as they handled last year’s 12-7 slopfest victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Weather Info​


Obviously, the weather is not going to have an effect on this game, since it will be indoors at U.S. Bank Stadium. If you’re traveling to the game or partaking in any pregame festivities, it’s going to be a warm one, according to our friends at WeatherNation. Temperatures leading up to kickoff will be in the mid-80s with winds out of the southeast at around 10 miles/hour.

Betting Info​


Not much has changed from the beginning of the week as far as the betting lines are concerned. The Vikings remain a 3.5-point favorite, with the over/under remaining at 44.5 points.

Streaming Info​


If you have the Peacock app, that’s the place that you can legally stream this evening’s contest. You might be able to find it on the NFL+ app as well.

As always, don’t promote illegal streams here. We don’t allow that. Besides, you should know better.

That should be all of the information that you need to be able to follow along with our second consecutive prime time game as the Vikings host the Falcons. We’ll have our first Open Thread of the evening dropping about half an hour or so before the game, and we’ll have an Open Thread for the rest of Sunday’s NFL action about half an hour before the early window opens. We hope that you’ll join us!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...channel-radio-streaming-sunday-night-football
 
Atlanta Falcons 22, Minnesota Vikings 6: Offense No-Shows on Sunday Night

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When the Minnesota Vikings scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat the Chicago Bears in Week 1, the feeling was that the Vikings’ offense had finally gotten it together.

After Week 2’s Sunday Night Football matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, the vibes, as the kids might say, are gone.

In front of a raucous crowd for their first game at U.S. Bank Stadium since last December, the Minnesota offense managed just two field goals and squandered a relatively solid defensive effort to fall by a score of 22-6.

The Falcons won the opening coin toss and, in a rare move, chose to take the ball rather than defer to the second half. They got a couple of big runs from Bijan Robinson to start their drive, but stalled out in the red zone and settled for a 38-yard field goal from former Viking Parker Romo to take an early 3-0 lead.

After the Vikings failed on a 4th-and-1 in their own territory on their first possession, the Falcons got three more points from Romo, as he connected from 29 yards out to make it 6-0. It appears that the Falcons were pushing towards more points, but linebacker Eric Wilson, in the game for the injured Blake Cashman, forced a fumble from Falcons’ receiver Drake London and the Vikings recovered for the game’s first turnover.

.@EWIL23 pops it loose and @theo_jackson05 scoops it up!

📺: @SNFonNBC pic.twitter.com/ocRoJGh0k4

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 15, 2025

Minnesota finally got on the board midway through the second quarter on a 33-yard field goal by Will Reichard to make it a 6-3 game. A disappointing result, given that the Vikings had a first-and-goal from the 1 on the possession, but they came away with points.

After a Falcons punt, the Vikings had a turnover of their own, as McCarthy’s pass intended for Jalen Nailor wound up in the hands of Billy Bowman for an interception in Minnesota territory. The Vikings’ defense limited the damage after the turnover, forcing another field goal attempt from Romo. He hit from 33 yards out and the Falcons extended their lead to 9-3 with about 25 seconds left in the half.

After McCarthy was sacked once again, he loaded up and found Justin Jefferson for a big 50-yard gain with time winding down in the half. That gave Will Reichard an opportunity for a 51-yard field goal, which he put through the uprights to make it 9-6 going into the locker room.

The Vikings went three-and-out to start the second half, and the Falcons eventually got into position for yet another field goal, another 33-yarder from Romo to make it 12-6 with a little over six minutes remaining in the third quarter. That’s how they went into the final quarter of play, and the fourth quarter started with another Minnesota turnover, as McCarthy was sacked for the sixth time on the evening, fumbling the ball away with the Falcons recovering.

Once again, the Vikings’ defense stood up and forced yet another field goal attempt, as Romo connected from 55 to make it 15-6 with eleven minutes remaining in regulation. The Vikings’ offense continued to not generate anything positive, and the defense eventually broke, as Tyler Allegier got a walk-in touchdown with just over three minutes remaining to make the score 22-6.

The Vikings got one more opportunity with the ball, and it ended with McCarthy’s second interception of the night, as he threw one towards the end zone that was intercepted by Falcons’ rookie Xavier Watts for his first NFL interception. That brought the game to an end, with the Vikings falling to 1-1 after an ugly performance.

I don’t know what the Vikings need to do between now and next Sunday afternoon when the Vikings host the Cincinnati Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium, but that’s Kevin O’Connell’s job to figure out.

The Minnesota Vikings fail to show up. . .at least offensively. . .on Sunday Night Football at U.S. Bank Stadium, getting thumped by the Atlanta Falcons by a final score of 22-6. Thank you to everyone who got their coverage of this week’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...-final-score-game-recap-sunday-night-football
 
J.J. McCarthy Out 2-4 Weeks with High Ankle Sprain

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In the wake of their Sunday Night Football loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Minnesota Vikings’ injury report is awfully crowded, but it’s the name at the top of the list that’s given fans of the purple something to talk about.

And, perhaps, an opportunity to strap on their tinfoil hats.

At his press conference on Monday, Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell said that quarterback J.J. McCarthy had suffered a high ankle sprain during Sunday night’s loss and would likely be out for two to four weeks. No word yet on whether or not the Vikings would place him on IR, which would put him out of action until Week 8 at the earliest.

McCarthy is believed to have suffered the injury on a scramble near the sideline in the third quarter on what may have been one of those “hip drop” tackles that the league has allegedly banned. He got the ankle re-taped on the sideline and finished the game, but O’Connell said that the injury was fully diagnosed when he got to the team’s facilities on Monday morning.

The more conspiracy-minded among our fanbase might believe. . .maybe. . .that McCarthy being diagnosed with a significant injury after returning to the game and finishing things off is what the kids might call “sus.” Outside of the fourth quarter against Chicago in Week 1, it’s been pretty rough for McCarthy, who has had some issues in his first two NFL starts, problems which have been exacerbated by some questionable play calling and his offensive line not living up to its preseason billing thus far.

I’ll leave that up to everyone else to debate. Frankly, if O’Connell says McCarthy is injured, as far as I’m concerned, he’s injured.

With McCarthy out, the Vikings will turn to Carson Wentz, whom they signed a little over three weeks ago, to run the offense for the next few weeks at a minimum. He’ll be backed up by Max Brosmer, who lit it up for the Vikings in the preseason but hasn’t faced the pressure of an NFL regular season yet. At least Wentz has had some success in the NFL before, and perhaps O’Connell can work his quarterback voodoo with him as well in his limited time in purple. I mean, if he can win a game while Josh Dobbs is still learning the names of the guys he’s in the huddle with, surely he can do something with a former #2 overall pick, right?

Right?

What do you think about the injury to J.J. McCarthy and how it affects things going forward, folks?

Source: https://www.dailynorseman.com/minne...2-4-weeks-high-ankle-sprain-minnesota-vikings
 
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