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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Extends 1,000-yard season streak
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 4:18 PM
Jefferson caught eight of 11 targets for 101 yards in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers.
Analysis: It's been a tough season for Jefferson due to the Vikings' issues at quarterback, but with his first 100-yard performance since Week 5, the superstar wideout was able to record his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign to begin his career. Jefferson wraps up the year with an 84-1,048-2 line on 141 targets, the worst yardage and TD totals of his career, and one of Minnesota's biggest priorities this offseason will be finding a way to build chemistry between J.J. McCarthy (hand) and his most talented target. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Productive in Week 18
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 4:14 PM
Mason carried the ball 14 times for 94 yards in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers.
Analysis: With Aaron Jones (hip) ruled out for the Vikings' regular-season finale, Mason led the backfield with his best yardage total since Week 3. Fullback C.J. Ham vultured a one-yard TD run in the second quarter, however. Mason finishes his first season in Minnesota with 758 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 159 carries, and with both Jones and Mason on affordable contracts in 2026, the duo will likely remain in some form of timeshare next season. |
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Max Brosmer Max Brosmer Wraps up regular-season finale
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 4:09 PM
Brosmer completed seven of eight passes for 57 yards without a touchdowns or interception in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers. He did lose a fumble.
Analysis: J.J. McCarthy (hand) left the game in the third quarter and didn't return, putting Brosmer under center to finish out the season for the Vikings. The undrafted rookie appeared in eight games overall as McCarthy battled injuries, and Brosmer wound up completing 66.2 percent of his passes (47-for-71) for 328 yards, albeit with zero TDs and five turnovers -- four INTs and Sunday's lost fumble. Minnesota still seems committed to McCarthy as its QB of the future, but given his inability to stay healthy, the team may look to bring in a more established backup in the offseason rather than relying on Brosmer to fill that role in 2026. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Aggravates right hand injury
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 1:54 PM
McCarthy exited Sunday's game versus the Packers due to a right hand injury.
Analysis: McCarthy appeared to aggravate his previously injured right hand early in the third quarter of Week 18 action. At the time of his departure, he had completed 14 of 23 passes for 182 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions and took his two carries for seven yards. Undrafted rookie Max Brosmer took over for McCarthy. |
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Josh Oliver Josh Oliver Ruled out Sunday
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 1:48 PM
Oliver won't return to Sunday's game against the Packers due to an ankle injury.
Analysis: Prior to his exit in the third quarter, Oliver had two catches (on two targets) for 29 yards, which is a bit of a disappointment considering he was filling in for inactive No. 1 TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder). Oliver will finish the 2025 campaign with a 15-160-4 on 19 targets in 15 regular-season games. He's under contract with the Vikings in 2026. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Inactive Sunday
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 11:06 AM
Hockenson (shoulder) is listed as inactive Sunday against the Packers.
Analysis: Hockenson thus will miss the final two contests of the 2025 campaign due to a shoulder injury, finishing it with 51 catches (on 66 targets) for 438 yards and three touchdowns in 15 appearances. He has no guaranteed money on his current contract for next season, but $2.308 million of it does vest as of March 17, so the Vikings seemingly have a decision to make on the 28-year-old's future in the coming months. |
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Brett Rypien Brett Rypien Inactive for Sunday
Sun, Jan 4, 2026, 11:04 AM
Rypien (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Packers.
Analysis: Rypien was the emergency third quarterback for the Vikings in their Week 17 win over the Lions, but with the return of starter J.J. McCarthy, the QB no longer has a game-day role. John Wolford will be Sunday's emergency third quarterback. |
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Josh Oliver Josh Oliver To start Week 18 with Hockenson out
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:58 PM
Oliver is set to operate as the Vikings' starting tight end during Sunday's season finale against the Packers with T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) ruled out for Week 18, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Oliver played 93 percent of offensive snaps during Minnesota's win over the Lions in Week 17 with Hockenson sidelined, though he was unable to rack up much production in that contest with fill-in quarterback Max Brosmer being limited to 51 passing yards. With J.J. McCarthy (hand) having been cleared to return to the starting lineup this weekend and the Packers expected to rest multiple key starters, Oliver will have a solid chance to close out the 2025 campaign on a positive note. While predominantly a blocker, Oliver has logged a career-high four touchdowns across 14 regular-season appearances in 2025, and he figures to be one of McCarthy's top targets in the red zone Week 18. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Set for Week 18 start
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:50 PM
Mason is positioned to start Sunday's season finale against the Packers due to Aaron Jones (hip) being ruled out for Week 18, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Mason handled double-digit carries in all four of the games Jones previously missed to injury between Weeks 3 and 7, and he could face a favorable matchup Sunday versus a Green Bay squad that Mike Spofford of the team's official site reports will rest certain key starters, including on defense. Across 15 regular-season appearances so far, Mason has rushed 145 times for 664 yards (4.6 YPC) and three touchdowns. He's also secured 14 of 16 targets for 51 receiving yards. Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott will handle depth roles behind Mason on this weekend. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Ruled out for Week 18
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:38 PM
Jones (hip) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Packers, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: Jones dealt with a slew of injuries this season and ultimately played just 12 games, finishing with a career-low 4.2 YPC while posting his lowest marks since his rookie year for rushing yards (548) and receiving yards (199). He was still reasonably effective when poor QB play didn't crater Minnesota's entire offense, so he could be back next year for the final season of a two-year extension. Jones turned 31 in December and is scheduled for a $9 million base salary in 2026, with $2 million already guaranteed and another $2 million kicking in on the third day of the new league year. In other words, the Vikings likely will trade/release Jones before mid-March if they don't plan to keep him around for the 2026 season. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Named as Week 18 starter
Fri, Jan 2, 2026, 1:32 PM
McCarthy (hand) will start Sunday's game against the Packers, Dane Mizutani of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: The Vikings won't have RB Aaron Jones (hip) or TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), potentially placing more of the offensive burden on WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Neither has done much with McCarthy under center this season, but things were even worse with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer making starts. The Packers, meanwhile, are expected to rest a lot of key players in preparation for the postseason. |
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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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