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Josh Oliver Josh Oliver Secures one of two targets
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:57 PM
Oliver brought in one of two targets for eight yards during Thursday's 23-10 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Oliver got the chance to start Christmas Day with T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) inactive, but that didn't result in him drawing many opportunities due to Thursday's unorthodox game script. Max Brosmer drew the start with J.J. McCarthy (hand) sidelined and only piled up 51 passing yards while the Vikings defense paved the way to a victory. If Hockenson remains sidelined Week 18 versus the Packers but McCarthy manages to retake the field and revitalize Minnesota's passing offense, Oliver will carry limited fantasy value in deeper formats. |
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Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Limited to special teams Thursday
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:44 PM
Scott didn't play a snap on offense in Thursday's 23-10 win over the Lions, though he logged 10 snaps on special teams and made two tackles.
Analysis: With Jordan Mason (ankle) unable to play Thursday, there was some expectation that Scott could move into the RB2 role. Instead, that assignment went to Ty Chandler, who was just activated from IR on Tuesday and was available for the first time since Week 1. Even as the Vikings went to a run-heavy game plan on Christmas Day, Scott didn't log an offensive snap, with Aaron Jones (18-53-1) and Chandler (7-24-0) handling all of the RB reps. Even if Mason remains out to action for the season finale against the Packers next Sunday, it doesn't look like Scott will be targeted for a big role (unless the out-of-contention Vikings decide to rest vets like Jones and/or Chandler). |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Held catchless on Christmas Day
Fri, Dec 26, 2025, 12:27 PM
Nailor did not catch his only target in Thursday's 23-10 win over Detroit.
Analysis: Minnesota went with a run-heavy approach on offense, and QB Max Brosmer threw for only 51 yards, so Nailor's goose egg wasn't entirely of his doing. In fact, the only Vikings wideout who caught a pass in the contest was Justin Jefferson, who put up a 4-30-0 receiving line. With that said, Nailor now has gone without a reception in two straight games, so he's a very unreliable fantasy target. That figures to remain the case regardless of whether Brosmer or J.J. McCarthy (hand) is Minnesota's starting QB in the season finale Week 18 versus Green Bay. |
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Jordan Addison Jordan Addison Takes jet sweep to house in win
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:40 PM
Addison failed to catch his only target but took his only carry 65 yards for a touchdown in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: Rookie quarterback Max Brosmer got the start but threw for only 51 yards, suppressing the production of all the Vikings' pass-catchers. Addison was able to salvage his day with his second career rushing TD, as he went the distance on a jet sweep in the fourth quarter -- putting the game away right after Detroit had closed to within a field goal. Addison will end up with career-worst receiving numbers in 2025 due to Minnesota's QB issues, but he'll get one more chance to make an impact in Week 18 against the Packers. |
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Justin Jefferson Justin Jefferson Production lacking again
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:33 PM
Jefferson caught four of five targets for 30 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: Despite the limited production, Jefferson actually led Minnesota in catches, targets and receiving yards on a day in which rookie QB Max Brosmer threw for just 51 yards. The Vikings' issues under center have ruined Jefferson's season, and he still needs 53 more yards -- a mark he's failed to reach in five of the last six games -- to record his sixth straight 1,000-yard campaign. If J.J. McCarthy (hand) is able to suit up Week 18 against the Packers, Jefferson's odds of keeping his streak alive might be slightly improved. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Gets first touches of season
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:29 PM
Chandler carried the ball seven times for 24 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: Out since Week 1 due to a knee injury, Chandler was activated from IR earlier in the week and stepped into the No. 2 RB role with Jordan Mason (ankle) sidelined. The seven carries represented Chandler's first touches of the season, and they all came in the second half after Aaron Jones had been checked out for a leg injury late in the second quarter. The veteran back wasn't removed from the game entirely after halftime, however. With both Mason and Jones potentially at less than 100 percent, and the Vikings having nothing on the line in their regular-season finale, Chandler could see an even bigger workload in Week 18 against the Packers. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Toughs out injuries against Detroit
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:24 PM
Jones carried the ball 18 tines for 53 yards and a touchdown and caught three of four targets for 10 yards in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day.
Analysis: The veteran running back headed into the blue medical tent late in the second quarter to be checked for a left leg injury, per Ben Goessling of The Minnesota Star Tribune, but Jones was back in the lineup on the Vikings' first possession after halftime. Jacons' one-yard TD plunge in the first quarter was his first score since Week 10, and just his second rushing touchdown of the season. He's seen a bigger workload the last two weeks while Jordan Mason (ankle) has been sidelined, gaining 156 yards from scrimmage on 44 touches, and with Minnesota having nothing to play for in Week 18, there may not be much incentive to push Mason back into action in the regular-season finale against the Packers. |
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Max Brosmer Max Brosmer Carried by defense to Christmas win
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:15 PM
Brosmer completed nine of 16 passes for 51 yards without a touchdown or an interception in the Vikings' 23-10 win over the Lions on Christmas Day. He added 16 yards on two carries.
Analysis: Making his second career NFL start, Brosmer produced very little offense, but he crucially avoided any turnovers while the Minnesota defense generated an impressive six takeaways. The rookie quarterback did get sacked seven times, however. It's not yet clear if J.J. McCarthy (hand) will be cleared to play Week 18 against the Packers in a game that may not have anything at stake for either side, but if McCarthy gets shut down, Brosmer would be in line to make one more start in 2025. |
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Brett Rypien Brett Rypien Emergency QB for Week 17
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 2:09 PM
Rypien (coach's decision) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Lions but will act as Minnesota's emergency No. 3 quarterback.
Analysis: Rypien will get a chance to operate as the Vikings' emergency third-string quarterback with starter J.J. McCarthy (hand) ruled out for Thanksgiving Day. In order for Rypien to take the field, both Max Brosmer and John Wolford would have to be forced out versus Detroit due to injury, illness or ejection. |
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Zavier Scott Zavier Scott Slated for RB2 duties sans Mason
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 3:12 PM
Scott will serve as the Vikings' RB2 behind Aaron Jones against the Lions on Thursday after Jordan Mason (ankle) was ruled out.
Analysis: Scott has served mostly on special teams this season, but he did play a larger role on offense from Weeks 3 to 5, which coincided with Jones' absence due to a hamstring injury. With Mason sidelined, Jones and Scott will lead the Vikings' rushing attack Christmas Day, and Ty Chandler is also available to provide depth in the backfield. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson Ruled out for Christmas Day
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 3:08 PM
Hockenson (shoulder) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against Detroit.
Analysis: Hockenson was held out of practice all week due to a shoulder injury that he likely picked up against the Giants on Sunday, and the injury has been deemed severe enough for the veteran tight end to be sidelined for Christmas Day. John Oliver, Ben Yurosek and Ben Sims will step into larger roles in Week 17, though their fantasy floors will be far lower given that Max Brosmer is under center for the Vikings due to J.J. McCarthy (hand) being ruled out. Hockenson's next and final opportunity to play this season is Week 18 against the Packers on Sunday, Jan. 4. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Won't play Christmas Day
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 3:04 PM
Mason (ankle) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lions.
Analysis: Mason was unable to practice all week due to an ankle injury he sustained during the Vikings' 16-13 win over the Giants on Sunday. That leaves Aaron Jones as Minnesota's clear RB1 for Christmas Day, and Zavier Scott and Ty Chandler will step into larger, rotational roles in the backfield in Mason's absence. Week 18 against the Packers on Sunday, Jan. 4 is Mason's last opportunity to play this season, given that the Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Set to play Thursday
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 2:11 PM
Jones (ankle) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game against the Lions.
Analysis: Jones played through an in-game ankle injury this past Sunday at the Giants and paced the Vikings backfield with 23 touches for 93 yards from scrimmage. His season-high touch count was aided by the fact that fellow RB Jordan Mason was knocked out with an ankle issue of his own, and Mason won't be available to the offense Thursday. As a result, Jones is in line to handle a workhorse role again in Week 17, with Zavier Scott and Ty Chandler serving as the options at the position behind him. |
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Josh Oliver Josh Oliver Two grabs against Giants
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 7:17 AM
Oliver caught two of three targets for 19 yards in Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants.
Analysis: Oliver's three targets Sunday matched a season high set in Week 5. The veteran tight end played 32 of the Vikings' 61 offensive snaps, while starter T.J. Hockenson was on the field for 46 snaps. In 13 appearances this season, Oliver has recorded just 12 catches for 123 yards and four touchdowns. Though his touchdown mark is a career high for the San Jose State product, he hasn't been involved enough to be trusted as a fantasy asset behind Hockenson. Oliver remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Lions. |
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Jalen Nailor Jalen Nailor Held catchless in Week 16
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 7:11 AM
Nailor failed to secure either of his two targets in Sunday's 16-13 loss to the Giants.
Analysis: Nailor was a complete nonfactor Sunday despite playing 62 percent of the Vikings' offensive snaps as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. Minnesota's offense has struggled with J.J. McCarthy (hand) at quarterback, but with McCarthy suffering an injury in Week 16, Max Brosmer is set to start in Week 17. Nailor should continue to be the victim of both limited opportunities and underwhelming quarterback play, capping his potential going forward. The 26-year-old should be ignored for fantasy purposes heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Lions. |
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T.J. Hockenson T.J. Hockenson No activity Wednesday
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 4:48 PM
Hockenson (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Analysis: Hockenson hasn't logged any practice activity this week, so he'll likely need to be listed as at least a limited participant in Wednesday's session to have a shot at playing Thursday against the Lions. If Hockenson is able to play through the shoulder issue, he'll be working with undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer, who has been named the Vikings' Week 17 starter with J.J. McCarthy (hand) ruled out. In Brosmer's lone other start in a Week 13 blowout loss to the Seahawks, Hockenson was one of the few Minnesota skill-position players to deliver a useful fantasy line, as he finished with six catches for 59 yards on six targets. |
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Aaron Jones Aaron Jones Stays limited Tuesday
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 4:41 PM
The Vikings listed Jones (ankle) as a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Analysis: Jones has yet to turn in a full practice this week, but so long as he maintains at least limited participation Wednesday, he should be in good shape to play Thursday against the Lions. In this past Sunday's 16-13 win over the Giants, Jones earned a season-high 23 touches and accounted for 93 yards from scrimmage. He was aided by Jordan Mason's early exit due to ankle injury, and with Mason having yet to practice this week and trending toward sitting Thursday, Jones could be in store for another elevated workload against Detroit. |
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Jordan Mason Jordan Mason Tracking toward Week 17 absence
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 4:33 PM
Mason (ankle) was a non-participant in Tuesday's walk-through practice.
Analysis: With the Vikings estimating Mason as a non-participant on both of their first two Week 17 injury reports, the 26-year-old hasn't been ruled out from playing Thursday against the Lions, but he's being viewed as a "longshot" to suit up, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. Assuming Mason is formally ruled out for the Week 17 game following the release of Wednesday's injury report, Aaron Jones would be in line to lead the Minnesota backfield Thursday, provided he can move past the ankle injury that rendered him a limited participant in Tuesday's walk-through. |
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Brett Rypien Brett Rypien Claimed off waivers by Minnesota
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 3:30 PM
The Vikings claimed Rypien off waivers Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Rypien was cut by the Colts on Monday and lands in a familiar place after he spent the offseason with the Vikings. With J.J. McCarthy (hand) out for Saturday's game against the Lions, Rypien is a veteran backup option to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Rypien last attempted a regular-season pass in 2023 with the Rams. |
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Ty Chandler Ty Chandler Activated from IR
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 2:52 PM
The Vikings activated Chandler (knee) from injured reserve Tuesday.
Analysis: With Jordan Mason (ankle) listed as a non-participant in Monday's practice, Chandler's return and full practice participation could lead to a role in Thursday's game against the Lions. The running back has played just one game this year, logging zero offensive snaps and 13 special teams snaps that resulted in 84 kick return yards. If Mason is unable to go, the 2022 fifth-rounder could see rotational snaps behind the starter, Aaron Jones. |
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