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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Misses another practice
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 3:51 PM
Hockenson (shoulder) did not practice Thursday.
Analysis: Hockenson has now been listed as a non-participant on five consecutive practice reports due to a shoulder issue, and he wasn't able to suit up Week 17. Barring a surprising return to the practice field Friday, it appears as though Hockenson is trending in the wrong direction to suit up for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Josh Oliver will operate as Minnesota's starting tight end if Hockenson is unable to play in Week 18. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Full practice Thursday
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 3:36 PM
Mason (ankle) practiced fully Thursday.
Analysis: Mason was knocked out on the first possession of a Week 16 win at the Giants due to an ankle injury that sidelined him last Thursday against the Lions, He's now progressed from limited Wednesday to all activity one day later, while fellow RB Aaron Jones (hip) has yet to practice this week. If Jones is inhibited or sidelined Sunday versus the Packers, Mason could be in line for a leading role Week 18. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Another DNP on Thursday
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 3:28 PM
Jones (hip) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Jones has yet to practice this week due to a new hip injury, while fellow RB Jordan Mason upgraded from limited Wednesday to all activity Thursday as the latter attempts to miss just one game due to an ankle issue. Friday's injury report will reveal Jones' odds to suit up Sunday versus the Packers. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Logs full practice Thursday
Thu, Jan 1, 2026, 3:17 PM
McCarthy (right hand) practiced fully Thursday.
Analysis: McCarthy sat out last Thursday against the Lions due to a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand that he sustained Week 16 at the Giants. He got back on the field Tuesday and had a "really positive" throwing session, as coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. With a full practice now under his belt, McCarthy is set to take on the Packers in Week 18. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Limited in return to practice
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 4:40 PM
Mason (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday.
Analysis: This marks Mason's first notable on-field work since he suffered an ankle injury early Week 16 at the Giants. Aaron Jones has paced the Vikings backfield for most of the last two contests, but he wasn't able to practice Wednesday due to a new hip issue. The activity levels of both players bears watching as the week goes on to see who among them may be available Sunday against the Packers. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones DNP due to hip injury
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 4:37 PM
Jones was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury.
Analysis: Jones suffered an ankle injury early Week 16 at the Giants but gutted it out with Jordan Mason unable to return due to an ankle issue of his own. Mason was inactive last Thursday against the Lions, allowing Jones to take on most of the RB reps for the majority of the Vikings' last two contests en route to 44 touches for 156 yards from scrimmage and one rushing TD during that span. Jones is dealing with a new health concern this week that kept him out of drills Wednesday, while Mason practiced in a limited capacity. Minnesota's backfield thus is in some flux ahead of Sunday's game versus the Packers. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Not practicing Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 4:34 PM
Hockenson (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Hockenson didn't practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out for Minnesota's win over the Lions on Christmas Day in Week 17, and he now has just two remaining chances to retake the practice field ahead of Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers. Green Bay will be sitting multiple starters in Week 18, providing a nice opportunity for Hockenson to improve his production totals if he's able to take the field. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand) was limited in practice Wednesday and is considered day-to-day. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Limited Wednesday, is 'day-to-day'
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 3:49 PM
McCarthy said after Wednesday's practice that he was limited and remains "day-to-day," Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: McCarthy sustained a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand Week 16 at the Giants and didn't play last Thursday against the Lions. Coach Kevin O'Connell told Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com that McCarthy had a "really positive" throwing session Tuesday, and the quarterback himself said Wednesday that he "felt good throwing." It remains to be seen if McCarthy will be able to suit up Sunday versus the Packers, but Max Brosmer is on hand for another start if the former isn't cleared to play. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Returning to practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 31, 2025, 1:06 PM
Coach Kevin O'Connell said McCarthy went through a "really positive" throwing session Tuesday with the Vikings' medical staff and will take part in Wednesday's practice, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand during a Week 16 win at the Giants that sidelined him for last Thursday's victory against the Lions. O'Connell said McCarthy likely will be limited in his return to drills Wednesday, but the second-year QB nonetheless is progressing in advance of Sunday's regular-season finale versus the Packers. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Week 18 status TBD
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 12:49 PM
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that McCarthy (hand) is progressing and the swelling has come down, but his status for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers is to be determined, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: O'Connell said it's going to come down to McCarthy's ability to grip the football after he suffered a fracture in his throwing hand Week 16 against the Giants. Max Brosmer made the Week 17 start against the Lions but was borderline incompetent once again, completing just nine of 16 passes for 51 scoreless yards while absorbing seven sacks. McCarthy's status will be updated again no later than Wednesday. |
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Josh Oliver Josh Oliver Secures one of two targets
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:57 PM
Oliver brought in one of two targets for eight yards during Thursday's 23-10 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Oliver got the chance to start Christmas Day with T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) inactive, but that didn't result in him drawing many opportunities due to Thursday's unorthodox game script. Max Brosmer drew the start with J.J. McCarthy (hand) sidelined and only piled up 51 passing yards while the Vikings defense paved the way to a victory. If Hockenson remains sidelined Week 18 versus the Packers but McCarthy manages to retake the field and revitalize Minnesota's passing offense, Oliver will carry limited fantasy value in deeper formats. |
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Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Limited to special teams Thursday
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:44 PM
Scott didn't play a snap on offense in Thursday's 23-10 win over the Lions, though he logged 10 snaps on special teams and made two tackles.
Analysis: With Jordan Mason (ankle) unable to play Thursday, there was some expectation that Scott could move into the RB2 role. Instead, that assignment went to Ty Chandler, who was just activated from IR on Tuesday and was available for the first time since Week 1. Even as the Vikings went to a run-heavy game plan on Christmas Day, Scott didn't log an offensive snap, with Aaron Jones (18-53-1) and Chandler (7-24-0) handling all of the RB reps. Even if Mason remains out to action for the season finale against the Packers next Sunday, it doesn't look like Scott will be targeted for a big role (unless the out-of-contention Vikings decide to rest vets like Jones and/or Chandler). |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Held catchless on Christmas Day
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:27 PM
Nailor did not catch his only target in Thursday's 23-10 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Minnesota went with a run-heavy approach on offense, and QB Max Brosmer threw for only 51 yards, so Nailor's goose egg wasn't entirely of his doing. In fact, the only Vikings wideout who caught a pass in the contest was Justin Jefferson, who put up a 4-30-0 receiving line. With that said, Nailor now has gone without a reception in two straight games, so he's a very unreliable fantasy target. That figures to remain the case regardless of whether Brosmer or J.J. McCarthy (hand) is Minnesota's starting QB in the season finale Week 18 versus Green Bay. |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Takes jet sweep to house in win
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:40 PM
Addison failed to catch his only target but took his only carry 65 yards for a touchdown in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: Rookie quarterback Max Brosmer got the start but threw for only 51 yards, suppressing the production of all the Vikings' pass-catchers. Addison was able to salvage his day with his second career rushing TD, as he went the distance on a jet sweep in the fourth quarter -- putting the game away right after Detroit had closed to within a field goal. Addison will end up with career-worst receiving numbers in 2025 due to Minnesota's QB issues, but he'll get one more chance to make an impact in Week 18 against the Packers. |
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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Production lacking again
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:33 PM
Jefferson caught four of five targets for 30 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: Despite the limited production, Jefferson actually led Minnesota in catches, targets and receiving yards on a day in which rookie QB Max Brosmer threw for just 51 yards. The Vikings' issues under center have ruined Jefferson's season, and he still needs 53 more yards -- a mark he's failed to reach in five of the last six games -- to record his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign. If J.J. McCarthy (hand) is able to suit up Week 18 against the Packers, Jefferson's odds of keeping his streak alive might be slightly improved. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Gets first touches of season
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:29 PM
Chandler carried the ball seven times for 24 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: Out since Week 1 due to a knee injury, Chandler was activated from IR earlier in the week and stepped into the No. 2 RB role with Jordan Mason (ankle) sidelined. The seven carries represented Chandler's first touches of the season, and they all came in the second half after Aaron Jones had been checked out for a leg injury late in the second quarter. The veteran back wasn't removed from the game entirely after halftime, however. With both Mason and Jones potentially at less than 100 percent, and the Vikings having nothing on the line in their regular-season finale, Chandler could see an even bigger workload in Week 18 against the Packers. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Toughs out injuries against Detroit
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:24 PM
Jones carried the ball 18 tines for 53 yards and a touchdown and caught three of four targets for 10 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: The veteran running back headed into the blue medical tent late in the second quarter to be checked for a left leg injury, per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, but Jones was back in the lineup on the Vikings' first possession after halftime. Jacons' one-yard TD plunge in the first quarter was his first score since Week 10, and just his second rushing touchdown of the season. He's seen a bigger workload the last two weeks while Jordan Mason (ankle) has been sidelined, gaining 156 yards from scrimmage on 44 touches, and with Minnesota having nothing to play for in Week 18, there may not be much incentive to push Mason back into action in the regular-season finale against the Packers. |
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Max Brosmer Max Brosmer Carried by defense to Christmas win
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:15 PM
Brosmer completed nine of 16 passes for 51 yards without a touchdown or an interception in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day. He added 16 yards on two carries.
Analysis: Making his second career NFL start, Brosmer produced very little offense, but he crucially avoided any turnovers while the Minnesota defense generated an impressive six takeaways. The rookie quarterback did get sacked seven times, however. It's not yet clear if J.J. McCarthy (hand) will be cleared to play Week 18 against the Packers in a game that may not have anything at stake for either side, but if McCarthy gets shut down, Brosmer would be in line to make one more start in 2025. |
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Brett Rypien Brett Rypien Emergency QB for Week 17
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 2:09 PM
Rypien (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Lions but will act as Minnesota's emergency No. 3 quarterback.
Analysis: Rypien will get a chance to operate as the Vikings' emergency third-string quarterback with starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) ruled out for Thanksgiving Day. In order for Rypien to take the field, both Max Brosmer and John Wolford would have to be forced out versus Detroit due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Slated for RB2 duties sans Mason
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 3:12 PM
Scott will serve as the Vikings' RB2 behind Aaron Jones against the Lions on Thursday after Jordan Mason (ankle) was ruled out.
Analysis: Scott has served mostly on special teams this season, but he did play a larger role on offense from Weeks 3 to 5, which coincided with Jones' absence due to a hamstring injury. With Mason sidelined, Jones and Scott will lead the Vikings' rushing attack Christmas Day, and Ty Chandler is also available to provide depth in the backfield. |
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