| News |
|---|
|
Jordan Addison Jordan Addison No notable injury
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 5:55 PM
Addison (suspension) did not sustain a significant injury upon departing Wednesday's practice early and will have no limitations going forward, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Addison appeared to hurt his hand or arm Wednesday, resulting in his spending the rest of practice off the field as an observer. That he's avoided any sort of serious issue is an especially positive development considering that Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and Jalen Nailor (hand) are both currently nursing injuries of their own. Jefferson, at least, returned to practice Monday and has begun ramping up his activity level with the goal of being fully healthy for Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8. Addison, for his part, will miss time early in the regular season due to his three-game suspension, though he'll be allowed to suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Titans if coach Kevin O'Connell decides to play his starters. |
|
Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Leaves practice early
Wed, Aug 20, 2025, 3:14 PM
Addison left Wednesday's practice early with a potential hand/arm injury, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: He remained on the practice field as an observer, which is generally indicative of a minor injury. The larger concern for Addison's fantasy value is a three-game suspension to start the season, and it's become a bigger problem for the Vikings now that Justin Jefferson (hamstring) and Jalen Nailor (hand) have been missing practice. Jefferson, at least, seems to be moving in the right direction and gearing up to play Week 1. |
|
Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Labeled week-to-week
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 2:08 PM
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Nailor (hand) is week-to-week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Nailor had his hand jammed up during practice last Thursday and missed Minnesota's 20-12 preseason loss to New England on Saturday as a result, and it now looks like he could also be in danger of sitting out the team's preseason finale against Tennessee on Friday. At the very least, with three weeks to get healthy before Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, Nailor should be a full-go for the regular season. Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is returning to practice Monday, but with Jordan Addison (suspension) out until Week 4, Nailor looks in line to kick off the year benefiting from an expanded role on offense. |
|
Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Returning to practice
Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 2:06 PM
Jefferson (hamstring) will begin practicing, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Jefferson has been sidelined since late July by what has been described as a mild left hamstring strain, but the star wide receiver is ready to start ramping up his activity level. Per Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com, Jefferson will participate in part of Monday's practice. Though Jefferson hasn't yet been cleared to participate in team drills without limitations, this development nonetheless is a step in the right direction. Jefferson's goal is to be ready for Week 1 against the Bears on Monday, Sept. 8, but he's unlikely to suit up for Friday's preseason finale against the Titans. |
|
Tai Felton Tai Felton Two grabs in Saturday's loss
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:53 PM
Felton caught both his targets for 32 yards in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Patriots. He added 21 yards on one kickoff return.
Analysis: The rookie third-round pick got the start with Justin Jefferson (hamstring), Jordan Addison (suspension) and Jalen Nailor (hand) all on the sidelines, but Felton didn't flash until No. 3 QB Brett Rypien entered the game. The duo connected for gains of 20 and 12 yards on the Vikings' final possession of the first half, setting up a Will Reichard field goal. Felton is battling with Lucky Jackson for the No. 4 spot on the wideout depth chart -- a role that could end up being significant early in the season with Addison set to miss the first three games -- and he may have gained an edge in that competition after Jackson caught only one of his five targets Saturday in a shaky performance. |
|
Lucky Jackson Lucky Jackson Tough day against Pats
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:48 PM
Jackson caught one of five targets for nine yards in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to New England.
Analysis: With Justin Jefferson (hamstring), Jordan Addison (suspension) and Jalen Nailor (hand) all held out of the contest, Jackson got the start but did very little with the opportunity. The second-year wideout out of Western Kentucky is battling with 2025 third-round pick Tai Felton for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart -- a role that could end up being significant early in the season with Addison set to miss the first three games -- but Saturday's performance likely caused Jackson to lose ground in the competition. |
|
Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Productive again Saturday
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:44 PM
Scott carried the ball 10 times for 28 yards, caught three of four targets for 44 yards and returned one kickoff for 20 yards in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: The 26-year-old running back spent last season on the Vikings' practice squad, and Scott appears to have used his time well because he's on the cusp of taking the No. 3 spot on the depth chart away from Ty Chandler. Scott's usage as a return man might be the clearest sign yet he's moved past Chandler in the pecking order, as Chandler's special-teams role was thought to be his one clear edge in the battle. Even if he wins the job, Scott's snaps on offense will likely be very limited with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason entrenched in the top two backfield jobs. |
|
Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Just 12 yards in Saturday's start
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:39 PM
Chandler gained 12 rushing yards on three carries and failed to catch his only target in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Patriots.
Analysis: The fourth-year back got the start ahead of Zavier Scott, his main competition for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart, but it was Scott who saw more work and led Minnesota in rushing yards on the afternoon. Chandler saw his yards per carry drop from 4.5 in 2023 to just 3.3 last year, and if he can't find another gear before the end of the preseason, he might find himself on the outside looking in for a spot on the Week 1 gameday roster. |
|
Sam Howell Sam Howell Poor showing in Saturday's start
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 6:34 PM
Howell completed one of five passes for 13 yards and an interception in Saturday's 20-12 preseason loss to the Patriots. He added 14 rushing yards on three carries.
Analysis: The fourth-year QB isn't exactly known for his mobility, but he gained more yards on the ground than through the air in two drives as part of an overall poor performance from the Vikings' offense. Howell is set as the top backup to J.J. McCarthy this season, but the 2024 first-round pick would have to be a significant flop, or suffer another serious injury, for the former Commander and Seahawk to see more than mop-up duty this season. |
|
Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Doesn't play Saturday
Sat, Aug 16, 2025, 4:23 PM
Nailor (hand) did not play in the Minnesota's 20-12 preseason loss to New England on Saturday, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Analysis: Nailor has been dealing with a hand injury, and he joined the rest of the Vikings' starters on the sidelines for Saturday's exhibition contest. It's unclear how severe the injury is, but Nailor's practice participation ahead of the Vikings' preseason finale against the Titans on Friday should shed some light on the matter. The 2022 sixth-rounder is expected to see a larger role in Minnesota's offense early on in the regular season due Jordan Addison being suspended for the first three games. |
|
Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Will get hand checked out
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 5:03 PM
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Nailor is dealing with a hand injury, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Nailor will have his hand issue evaluated, but his status for Saturday's preseason contest against the Patriots now is cloudy. With top wideout Justin Jefferson managing a hamstring injury and Jordan Addison (suspension) out the first three games of the regular season, however, it wouldn't surprise us to see the Vikings err on the side of caution with Nailor. |
|
Sam Howell Sam Howell Will start Saturday's game
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 3:36 PM
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that Howell will start Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots.
Analysis: Howell completed 11 of 13 passes for 105 yards and rushed four times for two yards and a touchdown during Minnesota's preseason opener against Houston, which he entered after J.J. McCarthy started the first drive. Top wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) won't be available Saturday, but Jordan Addison (suspension) remains eligible to suit up for preseason action despite having to delay his regular-season debut until Week 4. It seems more likely than not, though, that O'Connell will sit the rest of Minnesota's starters alongside McCarthy, however. |
|
J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Won't face Patriots
Thu, Aug 14, 2025, 3:09 PM
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Thursday that McCarthy will not suit up for Saturday's preseason contest against New England.
Analysis: McCarthy played one drive during Minnesota's preseason opener against the Texans, completing four of seven passes for 30 yards while rushing once for eight yards, but Sam Howell will get the start versus the Patriots. During the Vikings' exhibition finale versus Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 22, McCarthy could get a chance to handle more reps. Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains absent from practice but will be re-evaluated next week, while Jordan Addison (suspension) will be eligible to play the remainder of the preseason but will begin the regular season with a three-game suspension. |
|
Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Progressing but won't practice
Wed, Aug 13, 2025, 12:02 PM
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Jefferson (hamstring) is "definitely progressing" but won't be re-evaluated to potentially practice until next week, ruling him out for Saturday's preseason game against the Patriots, Ben Volin of The Boston Globe reports.
Analysis: Minnesota continues to take a cautious approach to the star wide receiver's recovery from a hamstring injury, but O'Connell said the hope is for Jefferson to begin ramping up his workload next week, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. He'll be limited to walk-throughs during joint practices with New England, for the time being. It remains to be seen whether Jefferson could have a chance to suit up for the Vikings' preseason finale against Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 22. With Jordan Addison (suspension) out the first three games of the regular season, it's increasingly crucial for J.J. McCarthy and company that Jefferson is available Week 1. |
|
Rondale Moore Rondale Moore Placed on IR
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 3:30 PM
The Vikings placed Moore (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: Moore suffered a season-ending knee injury for the second summer in a row, after missing all of 2024 with the Falcons. He's scheduled for free agency again next offseason but will first face a lengthy rehab process before he can attempt to resume his career in 2026. |
|
Rondale Moore Rondale Moore Out for season
Tue, Aug 12, 2025, 3:11 PM
Moore (knee) will miss the entire 2025 season, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's his second season-ending knee injury in as many summers, after Moore missed all of 2024 with the Falcons. He's only 25 years old but faces a tough path ahead to continue his football career, having last played in a regular-season game in 2023. |
|
Ty Chandler Ty Chandler In battle for No. 3 RB role
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 4:07 PM
Chandler had five carries for five yards along with three receptions for 20 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Baltimore. However, he may have fallen behind Zavier Scott in the competition for the No. 3 RB role, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Scott had an impressive performance with seven carries for 40 yards. However, Chandler did work with the first-team offense while Scott had most of his production in the second quarter. Chandler was also one of the two primary kick returners, which could give him an edge. Still, this battle may not be decided until late in camp and the loser may not stay on the 53-man roster. |
|
Zavier Scott Zavier Scott May have lead for No. 3 RB role
Mon, Aug 11, 2025, 4:03 PM
Scott had seven carries for 40 yards and one reception for 11 yards in Saturday's preseason win over Baltimore. His performance and strong training camp so far may have moved him ahead of Ty Chandler for the No. 3 running back role, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Scott and Chandler will likely battle for the No. 3 role the rest of training camp and the loser may not make the 53-man roster. Chandler is used on kickoff returns, which could give him a slight edge. Still, Scott continues to be trending in the right direction. |
|
C.J. Ham C.J. Ham Active in preseason opener
Sun, Aug 10, 2025, 7:44 PM
Ham (ankle) played three offensive snaps, catching his only target for minus-three yards in Saturday's 20-10 preseason win over the Texans.
Analysis: Ham opened camp limited by an offseason ankle surgery, but he was able to give it a go in the preseason opener. The 32-year-old is geared up to operate as the Vikings' primary fullback for the ninth consecutive campaign in 2025. |
|
Tai Felton Tai Felton Two receptions in preseason debut
Sat, Aug 9, 2025, 10:32 PM
Felton had two receptions for 14 yards on two targets in Saturday's preseason win over Houston. He also forced a fumble in punt coverage, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Felton worked as the fourth receiver and could begin the season in that role with Jordan Addison suspended for the first three regular season games. He also lined up a the starting kick returner along with Ty Chandler. |
Connect With Us:
