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DeWayne McBride DeWayne McBride Comes off NFI list
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 3:41 PM
McBride (undisclosed) was activated off the Vikings' active/non-football injury list Wednesday, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: McBride's injury must have not been serious, as the 23-year-old running back spent just two days on Minnesota's active/non-football injury list before activation. Now that the UAB product has returned to form, he's expected to compete with Myles Gaskin and Kene Nwangwu for a depth role in the Vikings' backfield. |
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DeWayne McBride DeWayne McBride Heads to NFI list
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 3:53 PM
The Vikings placed McBride (undisclosed) on their active/non-football injury list Monday.
Analysis: The nature and severity of McBride's injury is currently unknown, but he'll now begin Minnesota's training camp on the NFI list. McBride, a 2023 seventh-round pick out of UAB, is still eligible to practice or play at any point in the preseason, but this injury could jeopardize the 23-year-old's chances at making the Vikings' 53-man roster. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Officially shifts to PUP list
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 3:46 PM
The Vikings placed Hockenson (knee) on the active/PUP list Monday.
Analysis: The transaction confirms an announcement by coach Kevin O'Connell earlier Monday. Hockenson is eligible to come off the PUP list at any point during training camp or the preseason, once he's ready to practice, but given the timing of his late-January procedure to repair a torn ACL, the 27-year-old tight end seems like a real candidate to miss some time early in the regular season. Josh Oliver, Robert Tonyan and Johnny Mundt will be candidates to benefit from increased first-team reps as long as Hockenson remains sidelined. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Will start camp on PUP list
Mon, Jul 22, 2024, 12:51 PM
Coach Kevin O'Connell said Monday that Hockenson (knee) will start training camp on the active/PUP list, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: O'Connell said Hockenson is "well ahead of schedule" in his recovery from ACL surgery that he underwent in late January, per Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, but he also said "the significant injury that it was, we want to make sure everything is done the right way." It sounds like the Vikings will continue taking a cautious approach while working Hockenson back into action, and given that the standout tight end still remains without a timetable to return, his availability for Week 1 remains up in the air. Once he's back on the field, it could take Hockenson some time to ramp up to pre-injury form in terms of production, so it won't be surprising if he gets off to a slow start when he's healthy, then improves down the stretch of the 2024 season. |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Arrested on DWI charge
Sun, Jul 14, 2024, 7:40 PM
Addison was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in Los Angeles on Friday night, Luca Evans of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Analysis: According to a report from California Highway Patrol, Addison was found asleep behind the wheel of an immobilized vehicle blocking a lane of traffic on the freeway near Los Angeles International Airport at 11:06 pm Friday. The 22-year-old was then arrested and released shortly after a DUI investigation Saturday morning. The Vikings released a statement Sunday stating, "We are aware of Addison's arrest this past Friday and are currently gathering more information regarding the incident," according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. Last summer, Addison plead guilty to a misdemeanor speeding charge after being cited for driving 140 mph in Minnesota. The 2023 first-round played all 17 games during his rookie season, logging 70 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Impresses at spring practices
Fri, Jun 28, 2024, 9:44 AM
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Addison had "as good of an offseason program as really you can ask for," ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports.
Analysis: O'Connell said the wideout is stronger than he was as a rookie, and Addison mentioned that he's working to improve his technique on releases. Addison seems to have enjoyed a healthy offseason program, whereas last year he missed spring practices with an unspecified injury after the Vikings drafted him 23rd overall. He was on pace for 1,000 yards before Week 16 when an ankle sprain slowed him down, and he scored five touchdowns of at least 37 yards (plus a pair of 20-yarders) en route to a 70-911-10 receiving line across 108 targets and 17 games. There should be more target share for the taking with TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) uncertain for the early part of the season and former No. 3 receiver K.J. Osborn leaving in free agency, but there's also potential for QB trouble and reduced overall passing volume with Sam Darnold and/or J.J. McCarthy under center. |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Competing for No. 3 role
Mon, Jun 24, 2024, 9:30 AM
Nailor was the first player Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned when recently asked about the No. 3 receiver role, ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports.
Analysis: Nailor, Brandon Powell and Trent Sherfield look like the top candidates for the job after Minnesota opted against bringing in a clear replacement for former No. 3 receiver K.J. Osborn (now with the Patriots). A 2022 sixth-round pick, Nailor has run just 77 routes through two seasons but has made the most of his limited opportunities with 12 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown on 19 targets. Hamstring and head injuries limited him to six games last year, and he took 67 of his 94 offensive snaps for the season during a Week 10 win over New Orleans. Nailor has enjoyed better health this offseason, apart from missing a few minicamp practices with an illness. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold Will head to camp as QB1
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 8:23 AM
Darnold will be the first-team quarterback when Minnesota begins training camp in late July, ESPN.com's Kevin Seifert reports.
Analysis: Darnold took all the first-team reps at June minicamp and reportedly looked sharper than 10th overall draft pick J.J. McCarthy. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday that Darnold will remain the top QB for the start of training camp, but O'Connell cautioned that it's one of the many positions at which he anticipates competition later this summer. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Looking good at minicamp
Fri, Jun 7, 2024, 9:57 AM
Vikings DT Harrison Phillips said Thursday that he'd "buy stock in Chandler if I could," Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It sounds like Chandler made a strong impression at spring practices, perhaps increasing his chances to have a key role off the bench behind new starting running back Aaron Jones. Chandler mostly played special teams throughout the first half of last season, but he eventually became the No. 2 running back and later started the final four weeks, averaging 11.8 carries for 52.4 yards (4.5 YPC) and 2.0 catches for 14.5 yards over the final eight games of the season (with three TDs). That makes him a clear favorite for the No. 2 RB job ahead of Myles Gaskin and DeWayne McBride, though it isn't clear how many snaps and touches the role will entail. Jones' history of injuries -- namely five MCL sprains since entering the NFL -- suggests Chandler has a good chance to make starts this season if the Vikings don't add a more experienced backup before Week 1. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold Excels at minicamp
Fri, Jun 7, 2024, 9:43 AM
Darnold took every first-team rep during mandatory minicamp, with Alec Lewis of The Athletic reporting that the veteran quarterback's "consistency stood out for three days" while J.J. McCarthy missed more throws.
Analysis: Lewis says McCarthy's inconsistency is to be expected and adds that "overarching quarterback observations are largely unimportant at this stage" of the offseason. The rookie will have a chance to win the starting job this summer, so it'll be more of a story if he's still lagging far behind Darnold in early-to-mid August after a few weeks of training camp. Lewis also notes that McCarthy had his best day yet Thursday, the final day of minicamp, perhaps giving him something to build on when the Vikings hold their final round of OTAs on June 10-13. |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Dealing with illness
Wed, Jun 5, 2024, 4:54 PM
Nailor has missed the first two days of Minnesota's mandatory minicamp with an illness, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: According to Lewis, Nailor was tearing it up during the first few days of the Vikings' OTAs, but he's now dealing with an illness. The 25-year-old wide receiver out of Michigan State appeared in just six games for Minnesota last season, catching three of his six targets for 29 yards while playing 94 offensive snaps. Once Nailor moves past this illness, he's expected to compete for a depth role in the Vikings' wideout room behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. |
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N'Keal Harry N'Keal Harry Gets look at new position
Tue, Jun 4, 2024, 3:50 PM
Harry has gotten work at tight end during OTAs, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Harry has struggled to find his footing in the NFL since being selected in the first round of the 2019 Draft by the Patriots. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 225 pounds, the 26-year-old arguably has the size of the position, and the shift could help him find the potential he was drafted for in the league. |
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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Signing four-year extension
Mon, Jun 3, 2024, 8:30 AM
Jefferson reached agreement with the Vikings on Monday on a four-year contract extension, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Schefter and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network both report Jefferson's deal as a four-year, $140 million contract with $110 million guaranteed, giving the wideout the new record for average annual value ($35 million) among non-quarterbacks. He'll turn 25 years old later this month and already has 5,899 career receiving yards, with his average of 98.3 per game easily being the all-time record (Calvin Johnson is second at 86.1). Jefferson will enter the 2024 season without Kirk Cousins as his quarterback for the first time, instead catching passes from 10th overall pick J.J. McCarthy and/or Sam Darnold. |
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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Absent start of OTAs
Mon, May 20, 2024, 2:41 PM
Jefferson is not present for the start of OTAs on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Jefferson is amidst contract negotiations with Minnesota, so it won't be surprising if he doesn't show up for voluntary workouts with the team. The Vikings' mandatory minicamp won't begin until June 4, at which point Jefferson will incur fines if he isn't in attendance. The star wideout currently is heading into the final year of his rookie contract with a fifth-year option that will pay him $19.7 million. In just 10 games last season, Jefferson still managed to surpass 1,000 receiving yards, his fourth straight such campaign to begin his NFL career. His value to Minnesota's offense, and the development of rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy, is impossible to overstate, so the team has every incentive to agree to a new long-term extension with haste. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson No timetable for return
Fri, May 17, 2024, 4:35 PM
Hockenson (knee) said "they haven't really put a timeline on it" when asked Wednesday about a potential date for his in-season return to action, Grant Gordon of NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Hockenson was specifically asked on the NFL Schedule Release '24 show whether he expects to be playing Week 5 versus the Jets in London. The standout tight end said of his recovery from a right ACL and MCL tear he's "kinda taking it day by day, week by week," and that "the progression has been incredible" even though a specific return timetable remains uncertain. Hockenson underwent surgery late January and doesn't seem likely to be ready for Week 1, but Week 5 could be within the realm of possibility. The Vikings have a Week 6 bye, however, so it's possible that a more realistic target for Hockenson's debut could be Week 7 and beyond. |
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Robert Tonyan Robert Tonyan Finds home in Minnesota
Thu, May 16, 2024, 12:28 PM
Tonyan and the Vikings agreed to terms Thursday on a contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Tonyan suited up for all 17 games with the Bears last season, but he secured only 11 of 17 targets for 107 yards. He joins a Minnesota tight end room behind T.J. Hockenson (knee), who isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1 as he works his way back from a serious knee injury. That could give Tonyan the opportunity to compete with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for an expanded early season role. |
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Jaren Hall Jaren Hall Fourth QB in Minnesota
Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:59 AM
Hall isn't projected to make the Vikings' 53-man roster, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: A 2023 fifth-round pick, Hall played 46 offensive snaps as a rookie and turned the ball over three times while absorbing four sacks. He completed 13 of 20 passes for just 168 scoreless yards. With the Vikings' first-round selection of J.J. McCarthy following the signing of Sam Darnold, Hall will need to beat out veteran Nick Mullens for the third spot if he's going to stick in Minnesota. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Ahead of schedule in rehab
Thu, May 2, 2024, 9:58 AM
Hockenson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL and MCL, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Hockenson suffered his knee injury the day after Christmas. According to Lewis, even though Hockenson is making quick progress, the Vikings don't plan to rush him back, and the tight end's status for Week 1 remains in question. There's chance he opens the season on reserve/PUP. If so, veterans Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are next up on the depth chart. |
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Brandon Powell Brandon Powell Leading No. 3 WR candidate
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 11:25 PM
Powell, Jalen Nailor and Trent Sherfield are the leading candidates for the No. 3 receiver role after the Vikings did not take a wide receiver in the 2024 draft, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: It was a mild surprise the Vikings didn't draft a wide receiver after the departure of K.J. Osborn in free agency (signed with New England), leaving Powell as the leading candidate for the No. 3 receiver role. The Vikings could add a veteran free agent later this spring to compete for the job. Whoever wins the role could get a significant number of targets early in the season with tight end T.J. Hockensen likely to miss several games in coming back from January surgery for a torn ACL. |
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Trent Sherfield Trent Sherfield Joining Minnesota WR corps
Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 5:27 PM
The Vikings are set to sign Sherfield to a one-year deal, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Per Goessling, Sherfield's deal is for $1.79 million and includes a $400,000 signing bonus. In 17 regular-season games with the Bills in 2023, Sherfield caught 11 of his 22 targets for 86 yards and one touchdown. With the Vikings, the 28-year-old figures to compete with Brandon Powell for wideout snaps and targets behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. |
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