The Vikings have suffered their fair share of injuries this season. It is unfortunate but part of the game. The train keeps moving though and the next man is up. The depth is going to be tested this week and maybe after the bye as well. I recall reading something from Brian Flores when he was talking about the depth. To paraphrase, he said there is very little difference between the starters and the backups after the very top 5% of players. He said it really comes down to opportunity for most players. Some of these backups are now getting their opportunity.
The Vikings did add another offensive lineman. Matt Waletzko, Offensive Tackle, from North Dakota. He was drafted in the 5th round of the 2022 draft (pick 155).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Waletzko
He missed most of 2022, all of 2023, and appeared in 7 games in 2024. He has 20 snaps in the regular offense and 38 snaps in special teams for his career.
He tested really well at the combine.
Matt Waletzko was drafted with pick 155 of round 5 in the 2022 draft class. He scored a 9.96 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 6 out of 1218 OT from 1987 to 2022.
https://t.co/btcwLA0X1n #RAS #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/tRMv1Tgyrq
— RAS.football (@MathBomb)
April 30, 2022
I like it. I hope that he can stick and get his career going because the injuries have derailed him thus far.
In the last thread I mentioned some offensive linemen available on practice squads. I still like these players …
IOL Seth McLaughlin – Bengals
OL Trysten Colon – Lions
C Michael Deiter – Commandos
Minnesota Vikings News and Links
Vikings Navigating Offensive Line Injuries, Guiding 5 to Play as 1
The Vikings, prepping to play Cleveland at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, held their first practice of the week Wednesday in the English countryside and were without starting center Ryan Kelly and backup Michael Jurgens.
Kelly is currently in concussion protocol, and Jurgens is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell told Twin Cities beat reporters Jurgens is “responding pretty well” to treatment and that he hopes to get him some work during Friday’s practice and “see how he turns over” before game day. If the second-year center can’t go, however, it likely could be Blake Brandel tasked with the job.
Brandel has started 23 of the 60 games he’s played for Minnesota over the past four-plus seasons and has played three different positions on the offensive line. According to analytics site Pro Football Focus, he’s logged 1,197 snaps at left guard (where he started all last season), 295 at left tackle and 164 at right guard.
Brandel has taken practice reps at center, including during the 2023 season; but if he’s called upon Sunday, it will mark his first game lining up there.
“It’s a new role for him. I think he’s done it a little bit, but it’s new, so just got to work through the kinks this week,” quarterback Carson Wentz said. “You know, it’s good to get out there on the grass today, even though it was a shorter capacity of full-speed reps.
“But, you know, I think he seems confident, which is huge. Just that alone makes the difference,” Wentz continued. “The guy going out there feeling confident in their calls, ability to get us in and out of the right calls up front, in the run game and all those things.
“I think he’ll do great,” Wentz added. “He’s been around this business, this league, for a while now, played a lot of games. So moving him inside, I think he’ll do a great job.”
If Brandel does need to play center, rookie Joe Huber would step into the left guard spot for fellow rookie Donovan Jackson, who underwent wrist surgery following Minnesota’s Week 3 game against Cincinnati. (Brandel filled in at LG against the Steelers last week.)
“We’re trying to get the best five out there,” O’Connell emphasized, noting Brandel’s flexibility offers the team adaptability.
“You’ve got a guy that knows the system inside and out,” O’Connell said. “Then it’s just about the rest of the four guys being able to operate, you know, with some kind of togetherness. The group has to work five as one, not individual guys.”
The Vikings have already navigated what feels like a season’s worth of offensive line shuffles through their first four games.
…
Wentz similarly appreciates the blue-collar mindset and determination of the offensive line, regardless of the combination at any given point.
“Never question their effort. You know, that’s one thing I think has been constant, no matter who’s in there, whether it’s in practice [or in a game],” he explained. “I’ve only been here for a short period of time, but there’s no questioning the effort and the look in their eye when they come in the huddle, like, they’re ready to go. We’re all gonna make mistakes, and those things will happen. But their effort and their attitude and determination to get it right has never wavered, no matter who’s been in there.
“Even seeing different guys in the huddle today … guys are locked in and want to do the best they can, and they’re ready to compete,” Wentz added. “Injuries are an unfortunate part of this game. I’ve seen it myself … every year this happens. And so depth comes to be really critical, especially at those positions, and I think we’ve got some good ones here that are ready to accept that challenge.”
Carson Wentz Appreciating Bonding Time with Vikings Team, Beauty of Surroundings
Carson Wentz has appeared in 100 NFL regular-season games and started 96.
That’s quite a few formal mid-week press conferences for a quarterback in different types of settings.
On Wednesday, the veteran allowed himself a moment to appreciate the architectural beauty of a greenhouse-style room set up for press conferences at Hanbury Manor.
“This may be the most beautiful…” he said quietly before stepping up to the podium and fielding a variety of questions to recap his second start in Purple in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Dublin and this Sunday’s game against the Browns at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Vikings are the NFL’s first team to play back-to-back International Series games in two different countries and as the road team in each contest.
The travel party boarded buses in the heart of boisterous Dublin mid-day Monday and arrived in the UK that afternoon. Asked what he’s thought of this unique transition, Wentz said, “it’s been a lot of fun.”
“It’s different. It kind of breaks up the monotony of a season, all those things,” Wentz said. “I think it’s gorgeous out here at a really cool property. Obviously, I miss my family, so that’s different. But at the same time, you’re getting to bond with a new family, so to speak, and do some different things.”
…
Receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison each topped 100 yards for the second time together last week. It was their first game together of 2025.
“Justin is as good as it gets. Everybody in the world knows that,” Wentz said. “Having Jordan out there last week was pretty fun, too. Obviously, we had the big one late (an 81-yard reception by Addison), but even during the week, you could just see from the little bit of getting work with him, I mean, he’s pretty special, too. And so that makes my job easier, having those guys out there.
“And we have a ton of depth in that in that room, as well, from Adam [Thielen] to Jalen Nailor, “Speedy,” we call him, and on down the list. And so guys show up in that room in a big way, and those two leading the way, leading the charge, has been a lot of fun in the brief time I’ve been here.”
Carson Wentz on Working With Offensive Line, Jordan Addison & Receiver Depth, Vikings Time In London, Preparing For Browns
Vikings-Browns has the lowest over-under of the 2025 NFL season
The over-under for the Vikings-Browns game is set at 36.5, which is the lowest total for any game so far this season.
Previously, the lowest total for the 2025 season was 38 for the Week One game between the Steelers and Jets. In that one, the over hit easily as the Steelers won 34-32.
NFL Week 5 picks: Can Jaguars hang around vs. revitalized Chiefs? Vikings spoil Dillon Gabriel’s Browns debut
Welcome to the NFL, Dillon Gabriel! As a congratulatory gift for climbing up Cleveland’s depth chart, you get to face the Brian Flores-led Vikings defense! Sheesh. Not only will Gabriel face one of the toughest defenses in the league, but he will also be the first quarterback to make his first start outside of the United States.
What does that mean? Who knows, but it’s another layer he’ll have to navigate. Meanwhile, the Vikings are already acclimated after playing Week 4 in Dublin, so they won’t have to travel as much as Cleveland. Simply looking at the defensive matchup, however, this is daunting for Gabriel. Minnesota has the second-highest pressure rate in the NFL entering Week 5 and is tied for the fifth-most sacks in the league. Even with the Browns defense likely giving the Vikings offense fits, I don’t think Gabriel will be able to keep this within the number.
Projected score: Vikings 23, Browns 17
The pick: Vikings -4.5
Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell hopes to see J.J. McCarthy back soon
He said, “My hope is soon. Sooner rather than later, we can get him at least back on an individual level, where he’s throwing to our guys. And working on his technique and fundamentals. I probably would not expose him to the look team, maybe at some point, to get him some real reps. But you hope, at that point, you get him some reps back in there with the guys. . .It’ll be a process of getting him individually working towards that. He’s doing some things with the trainers now that he’s in that part of the rehab phase. But we’re going to want to see it with cleats on the grass.”
What grade has Donovan Jackson earned the Minnesota Vikings front office?
Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon graded each first-round pick from April’s NFL Draft. For the selection of Jackson, he gave the pick a grade of B-. He writes, “Jackson was off to an up-and-down start (great debut against Chicago, brutal follow-up against Atlanta) before playing with a wrist issue in Week 3. Now, he’s undergone surgery on the injury.”
NFL Insider mentions Minnesota Vikings QB as potential trade candidate
Because of Wentz looking as good as he has, and with some teams having some quarterback struggles, could the Vikings look to capitalize on his value? ESPN’s Dan Graziano threw out the idea that someone could trade for the veteran quarterback. He was asked if a quarterback could be traded before the deadline, he wrote, “Now, it could be someone such as Carson Wentz or Kenny Pickett, which wouldn’t exactly make headlines, but I think you’re asking if it could be someone such as Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson or one of the Cleveland rookies (Dillon Gabriel was named the Browns starter Wednesday morning). Anything’s possible.”
2025 NFL trade deadline primer: When is it? Which players are top trade candidates? Which teams are buyers?
When is the deadline?
The deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Nov. 4, which is between Weeks 9 and 10 on the regular-season schedule.
Do deadline deals actually happen?
Absolutely! It’s not quite NBA- or MLB-level activity, but the NFL has seen an uptick in big-name movement over the last decade or so, arguably due to both delayed deadline dates and an influx of aggressive general managers.
Here are some of the most notable examples of deadline trades to go down in recent years:
2024: CB Marshon Lattimore (Saints to Commanders)
2023: DE Montez Sweat (Commanders to Bears)
2022: RB Christian McCaffrey (Panthers to 49ers)
2022: TE T.J. Hockenson (Lions to Vikings)
2022: LB Roquan Smith (Bears to Ravens)
2022: OLB Bradley Chubb (Broncos to Dolphins)
2021: OLB Von Miller (Broncos to Rams)
Top trade candidates
Saints RB Alvin Kamara: New Orleans just signed Kamara to a new deal last October, but the Saints aren’t even close to contending under new coach Kellen Moore. The five-time Pro Bowler might prefer putting his multipurpose skills to use for a playoff hopeful. He might be reasonably affordable at age 30, too.
Jets RB Breece Hall: New coach Aaron Glenn declined to entertain a potential Hall trade prior to the start of the season, advocating for a deep backfield. But the Jets are winless, and Hall isn’t breaking loose like he once did. As a pending free agent, he might suddenly be of more value to his own rebuilding team as a trade chip.
Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs: We’re not so sure Jerry Jones is ready to part with yet another splashy defender in the wake of the Micah Parsons breakup, but Diggs is now in and out of the starting lineup as part of Dallas’ porous secondary, and dealing him would clear tens of millions off the Cowboys’ books from 2025-2028.
Browns CB Greg Newsome II: Cleveland boasts one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses, and Newsome is a part of that, logging two pass breakups and two tackles for loss in the Browns’ first four. Still, he’s due to hit free agency after the season, and the Browns could arguably still use as much draft capital as they can get.
2025 NFL trade deadline: Biggest need for all 32 teams entering Week 5
BIGGEST NEED: Offensive-line depth
A week ago, I might have said corner was the Vikings’ biggest need, but a rash of injuries put a hole in their best-laid plans to solidify the O-line this offseason. Brian O’Neill’s MCL sprain is a killer, as they experienced on Sunday versus Pittsburgh, when Carson Wentz was sacked six times, while Ryan Kelly and Donovan Jackson are also banged up. If Minnesota doesn’t secure better protection, it won’t matter who is under center.
2025 NFL Trade Block Big Board Entering Week 5
- Riq Woolen, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen is only 26 years old, has 50 starts on his resume and has logged 11 interceptions and 42 passes defended as a Pro. Would a Seahawks team with playoff aspirations really be interested in trading him?
According to Rapoport, teams believe they would.
“Woolen’s playing time has diminished, and in a contract year, teams believe he could be available,” he posted on X on Sunday.
While Woolen was stellar early in his career—he allowed an opposing passer rating of just 48.7 as a rookie in 2022—he hasn’t seemed to be as good of a fit in Mike Macdonald’s defense.
Virtually every cornerback-needy team should have interest in Woolen if he is available. The Seahawks should expect a fairly strong return, even with him in a contract year.
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