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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Takes another step forward
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 6:42 PM
Nailor caught 29 of 53 targets for 444 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games with Minnesota in 2025. He also handled two carries for 13 yards.
Analysis: Nailor played a slightly larger role in the Vikings' offense in the final year of his rookie contract after having a small breakout in 2024. He posted similar numbers, however, due to a dip in efficiency. That decline was probably mostly a product of general dysfunction in a Vikings passing offense that went from sixth in the league in yards in 2024 to 29th in 2025. He'll become a free agent this offseason, and he has further demonstrated that he at least can be a credible deep threat even if he's not a very physically imposing one. |
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Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Inefficient on ground as rookie
Tue, Jan 6, 2026, 6:42 PM
Scott concluded the 2025-26 season with 32 carries for 114 yards and no touchdowns along with 14 catches on 16 targets for 98 yards and a touchdown over 16 games.
Analysis: Scott took on a significant role early in the campaign when starting RB Aaron Jones missed time due to a hamstring injury. While Scott worked behind Jordan Mason and logged double-digit offensive snaps Weeks 3 to 5, he didn't do much with the opportunity, tallying a combined 49 rushing yards on 15 totes. He did add 63 yards on seven receptions during that span, but most of his receiving output came in Week 4, when he posted a 6-43-1 line versus Pittsburgh. Overall, Scott registered a meager 3.6 yards per carry as a rusher, which doesn't exactly inspire confidence in his ability to ascend to a lead back. It's still impressive that Scott was able to see a decent amount of work after going undrafted, and he showed acumen as a pass catcher with 14 grabs on 16 targets, but he figures to remain in a depth role in 2026 if he returns to Minnesota (he'll be a restricted free agent this offseason). |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Held quiet in season finale
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 9:55 AM
Addison recorded an eight-yard reception on three targets in Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers.
Analysis: Top wideout Justin Jefferson (8-101-0 receiving line on 11 targets) was able to turn in a productive game against a Green Bay squad that was resting several key players ahead of the playoffs, but there little target volume left over for the Vikings' other pass catchers. After serving a three-game suspension to begin his third NFL season, Addison suited up for the final 14 contests and produced a 42-610-3 receiving line on 79 targets while adding 81 rushing yards and another score on two carries. Though his average of 14.5 yards per catch was a career-best mark, Addison took a big step back in Year 3 in terms of touchdown and reception volume, largely due to subpar quarterback play. The wideout's outlook may not be dramatically better in 2026, barring drastic improvement from J.J. McCarthy (hand) or Minnesota looking outside the organization for an upgrade under center. |
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J.J. McCarthy J.J. McCarthy Exits early in season finale
Mon, Jan 5, 2026, 8:35 AM
McCarthy completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 182 yards and added seven yards on two carries before exiting Sunday's 16-3 win over the Packers in the third quarter after aggravating a right hand injury.
Analysis: Unfortunately for McCarthy, his 10th career start came to an early end, as he attempted just one pass in the second half before informing head coach Kevin O'Connell that the small hairline fracture in his throwing hand was presenting issues with gripping the football. After having his entire 2024 rookie season wiped out by a meniscus tear in his right knee, McCarthy missed seven total games in 2025 due to a right high-ankle sprain, a concussion and then the fractured hand. When available, he showed strong scrambling ability (181 rushing yards and four TDs), but he still has a long way to go as a passer. On the season, McCarthy completed just 57.6 percent of his throws for 6.7 yards per attempt and an 11:12 TD:INT, and he also took 27 sacks on 270 dropbacks (10 percent sack rate) while fumbling six times, losing two. The 22-year-old will tentatively head into 2026 atop Minnesota's depth chart, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported Sunday that the Vikings are expected to explore more established options at quarterback via trade or free agency this offseason, potentially forcing McCarthy to compete for the starting job in training camp. |
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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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