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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Limited on Monday's estimate
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 5:10 PM
Jones (ankle) was listed as limited on Monday's practice estimate, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Analysis: Jones exited in the first quarter of Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants with an ankle injury, but he subsequently returned en route to carrying 21 times for 85 yards and catching two of his three targets for eight yards. His listed limitations Monday are likely maintenance-related, and at this stage there's nothing to suggest that Jones will miss Thursday's game against the Lions. Meanwhile, fellow RB Jordan Mason, who didn't return to Sunday's contest after sustaining an ankle injury, was listed as a non-participant Monday. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy 'DNP' on practice estimate
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 5:03 PM
McCarthy (hand) was deemed a non-participant on Monday's practice estimate, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Analysis: McCarthy, who left Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants with an injury to his right throwing hand, thus has two more chances to upgrade his listed participation level ahead of Thursday's game against the Lions. In the event that McCarthy is unavailable for the contest, Max Brosmer would be in line to draw the start at QB for the Vikings in his place. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Listed as DNP on Monday
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 5:02 PM
Mason (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report.
Analysis: Both Mason and Aaron Jones left the Vikings' first possession of Sunday's win at the Giants due to ankle injuries, and while Jones was able to return and finish out the contest, Mason was ruled out not long after his initial exit. Minnesota didn't hold practice Monday ahead of Thursday's game against the Lions, but Mason appears in danger of logging his first absence of the season. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Estimated as non-participant
Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 5:00 PM
Hockenson (shoulder) is listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated injury report, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.
Analysis: The Vikings didn't officially practice Monday, but Hockenson is dealing with a shoulder injury that would've prevented him from participating had the team handled on-field reps. The starting tight end played 76 percent of the offensive snaps during Minnesota's win over the Giants in Week 16, though he secured his only target for two yards during that contest. With J.J. McCarthy (hand) now looking uncertain for Thursday's divisional matchup against the Lions, Hockenson has to be considered a low-floor fantasy option for Week 17 even if he is cleared for action on Christmas Day. |
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Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Three touches as Mason goes down
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 5:19 PM
Scott rushed twice for four yards and caught his only target for eight yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Scott looked poised to work as Minnesota's lead back after both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason exited due to first-quarter ankle injuries, but Jones returned and handled a workhorse role, finishing with 23 touches to Scott's three. If Jones' injury impacts his availability for Thursday's game against the Lions and Mason remains sidelined, Scott could find himself handling an increased workload. |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Another two-catch outing
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 5:14 PM
Addison caught two of three targets for 26 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Addison couldn't hold onto what would have been a 25-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. He finished a distant second on the team in receiving yards behind Justin Jefferson (85). Minnesota's passing game will be tough to trust Thursday against the Lions, especially if rookie Max Brosmer is thrust into his second NFL start. Brosmer entered after J.J. McCarthy (hand) left Sunday's win in the second quarter. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Set to undergo further tests Monday
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 3:54 PM
McCarthy, who left Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants, appears to have avoided a broken bone in his hand, according to Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, with coach Kevin O'Connell having confirmed that the QB's initial X-rays came up negative.
Analysis: Following the game, McCarthy was spotted with his right hand in a fingerless glove in the Vikings' locker room. Per Goessling, McCarthy will undergo further testing Monday, but for now consider the QB day-to-day as Thursday's game against the Lions approaches. If McCarthy is unavailable for that contest, Max Brosmer would be in line to draw the start in his place. |
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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Posts 85 yards in Week 16
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 3:42 PM
Jefferson caught six of eight targets for 85 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Jefferson's 57 first-half yards were already good for his second-highest full-game total in the past eight outings. J.J. McCarthy (hand) exited late in the first half, and Jefferson accounted for 28 of Max Brosmer's 52 passing yards after halftime. Jefferson's floor will continue to be far lower than he's accustomed to due to questionable quarterback play Thursday against the Lions, whether the Vikings get McCarthy back under center or start Brosmer. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Season-high 21 carries in win
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 3:39 PM
Jones (ankle) rushed 21 times for 85 yards and caught two of three targets for eight yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Jones injured his ankle in the first quarter but came back into the game after fellow running back Jordan Mason (ankle) exited the game entirely. If Jones plays Thursday against the Lions, he could be in for another hefty workload for a Vikings offense that may be without starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand), who also left in the first half. Third-string running back Zavier Scott finished with 12 yards on three touches while Jones set season highs with 23 touches and 85 rushing yards. Jones has frequently dealt with in-game injuries this season, but he's handled double-digit touches in each of his last eight outings and reached 65 scrimmage yards in three consecutive games. |
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Max Brosmer Max Brosmer Modest stats after McCarthy injury
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 3:34 PM
Brosmer completed seven of nine passes for 52 yards and rushed three times for minus-3 yards after replacing J.J. McCarthy (hand) in the second quarter of Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Analysis: McCarthy was hurt on Minnesota's penultimate offensive play of the first half, which also resulted in a Giants defensive touchdown that trimmed Minnesota's lead to 13-10. Brosmer came in to kneel down on the last play before halftime before taking over in the second half with McCarthy ruled out. The backup led a 14-play, 57-yard drive that culminated in Will Reichard's game-winning 30-yard field goal with 4:15 remaining in the fourth quarter, but Brosmer wasn't particularly impressive otherwise. If McCarthy doesn't recover prior to Thursday's game against the Lions, Brosmer would be in line to make his second NFL start. Brosmer threw for 126 yards with four interceptions in his previous start against the Seahawks in Week 13. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Hurts hand Sunday
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 1:47 PM
McCarthy won't return to Sunday's game against the Giants after sustaining a hand injury.
Analysis: McCarthy, who finishes the contest with 108 passing yards and a pick to go along with two carries for 20 yards and a TD, will thus target a potential return to action Thursday against the Lions. In his absence Sunday, Max Brosmer will take over at QB for the Vikings. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Won't return Sunday
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 12:58 PM
Mason (ankle) won't return to Sunday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: With Mason done for the day, Aaron Jones -- who returned to the contest after hurting his ankle -- and Zavier Scott are available to handle Minnesota's Week 16 backfield duties. Mason will thus target a possible return to action Thursday against the Lions. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Back in Sunday's game
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 12:53 PM
Jones (ankle) returned to Sunday's game against the Giants, Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: While Jones is back in the contest after having exited it, fellow RB Jordan Mason, who also sustained an ankle injury Sunday, has been ruled out for the remainder of Week 16 action. In that context, Zavier Scott is available to handle complementary backfield snaps for the Vikings. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Hurts ankle in Week 16
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 12:31 PM
Jones sustained an ankle injury during Sunday's contest at the Giants.
Analysis: Fellow RB Jordan Mason also exited with an ankle injury, but while Mason needed a cart to leave the field, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Jones was spotted jogging on the sideline, per Lewis. Zavier Scott took over the Vikings backfield to kick off their second drive of the game. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Injures ankle Sunday
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 12:27 PM
Mason suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's game at the Giants.
Analysis: Both Mason and fellow RB Aaron Jones injured their ankles in the first quarter of Week 16 action, but while Mason was spotted getting on a cart, per Alec Lewis of The Athletic, Jones was jogging on the sideline, according to Lewis. Zavier Scott took over the Vikings backfield to begin their second possession of the contest. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Ruled out for Week 16
Sat, Dec 20, 2025, 3:23 PM
Chandler (knee) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: Chandler managed to practice in full throughout Week 16 prep, but he nonetheless won't yet come off IR. His next chance to retake the field will come Week 17 versus the Lions on Thursday, Dec. 25. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Chance to play Week 16
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 4:05 PM
Chandler (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: Chandler was a full practice participant during Week 16 prep, but he'll have to be activated from injured reserve Saturday in order to be available for Sunday's game. If he's cleared to play, Chandler would likely leapfrog Zavier Scott as the Vikings' RB3 behind Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Chandler would also be in the mix to join Myles Price as a returner on kickoffs. |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Cleared for Sunday
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 2:43 PM
Nailor (back) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Giants.
Analysis: He figures to fill his usual role as the Vikings' No. 3 receiver, coming off a two-TD showing at Dallas in Week 16. Nailor returned to full practice participation Friday after limited sessions earlier in the week. |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Stays limited in practice
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 3:25 PM
Nailor (back) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.
Analysis: Coming off a two-touchdown performance in this past Sunday's 34-26 win over the Cowboys, Nailor has been slowed by a back injury during Week 16 prep. He's now been a limited practice participant for two straight days, but so long as he can upgrade to full activity Friday, he'll likely approach Sunday's matchup with the Giants without an injury designation. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Logs another full practice
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 7:47 PM
Chandler (knee) logged a full practice Wednesday,
Analysis: Chandler has been practicing for most of December after he was designated to return from injured reserve. It remains unclear if he'll be activated ahead of Minnesota's Week 16 matchup against the Giants, and he'd likely return primarily to special teams duties. |
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