The Vikings got a break at the right time, and they needed it. After beating the Saints in Week 5 while missing several starters, Minnesota used its bye to get healthier before a Week 7 matchup with the Colts.
One of the biggest names trending back is Aaron Jones’ backup plan. Jordan Mason was placed on short-term injured reserve after hurting his thumb in Week 1, and Jones handled the load in his absence with 97 touches over the next four games. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported Monday that the Vikings have activated Mason from IR and expect him back at Wednesday’s practice, though his role once he returns still isn’t clear.
Jordan Addison also appears to be on track for Sunday. He was close to playing against New Orleans, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, but the hamstring issue that kept him out still needed a little more time.
Addison tested it before the Saints game and just couldn’t get all the way there. After another week of recovery, he should be in better shape for Indianapolis.
He has only 11 catches this season and needs stronger production going forward to position himself for a big extension this offseason.
At tight end, the outlook is a little less certain, but still encouraging. T.J.
Hockenson went down on the second play of the opening drive against New Orleans and entered concussion protocol after the game. As with any concussion, the final call depends on clearance, but he’ll likely be on track for Sunday.
If he isn’t, Minnesota still has Gavin Bartholomew ready for a larger role after he picked up five catches in Hockenson’s absence in Week 5.
Christian Darrisaw is also in concussion protocol after exiting the Miami game. He first left with a neck injury, briefly returned, and then was shut down for good once concussion symptoms surfaced.
Because he’s had more time than Hockenson to recover, his chances of being available in Week 7 look good, but he still needs full clearance before he can play. That missed game also means Darrisaw will go six straight seasons with at least one season spent on the sideline, and he has still never played a full 17-game season.
The Vikings also know they won’t have Donovan Jackson or Josh Oliver this year. Jackson tore a meniscus, and Oliver suffered a torn triceps. Joe Huber has stepped in for Jackson, while Gavin Bartholomew and Ben Yurosek have helped cover the tight end snaps.
Minnesota has already been dealing with other season-ending losses, too. Safety Jamal Adams went down before the season with a torn quadriceps, and edge rusher Tyler Batty suffered a torn ACL.
In Other News...
Vikings Undefeated Start Could Force A Huge Backfield Decision
The Vikings undefeated start has given them room to think bigger, even with a defense doing the heavy lifting and the offense still searching for more pop. If Minnesota decides to make a real push to upgrade its backfield, the discussion naturally turns to two of the biggest names available: Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor. Both would instantly change the look of a unit that has not fully matched the teams record, and both would come with the kind of price tag and complexity that make this more than a simple fit question.
Jonathan Taylor looms as the more intriguing possibility because of what he could mean for Minnesotas offense if the Vikings decide to go all in. Barkley remains part of the conversation too, but the bigger issue is whether the front office wants to make a meaningful swing now, with an undefeated team already showing it can win and still leaving plenty of room for improvement. The challenge is finding the right balance between chasing immediate offense and protecting the roster structure that helped get the Vikings here in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Jauan Jennings Has Become A Real Vikings Roster Debate
Jauan Jennings has settled into the Vikings WR3 spot, but the fit has not produced the kind of return Minnesota expected when the offense started sorting out its passing-game hierarchy. His receiving production has lagged, and his run-blocking grades have also fallen short this season, which has made him a more complicated player to value as Kevin OConnell and the staff sort through the bye-week reset.
OConnell has already said he wants to get Jennings more involved, and that alone tells you this is no ordinary depth-chart note. The next stretch of games will go a long way toward determining whether Jennings can carve out a bigger role in Minnesotas offense or whether the Vikings have to keep listening if another team shows interest before the roster picture tightens again. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Suddenly Have A Real Deadline Chance They Couldn't Ignore
The Colts decision to fire Chris Ballard after a 2-4 start has only sharpened the trade-deadline conversation around the league, and Minnesota now looks like one of the teams positioned to watch it closely. Coming out of the bye week, the Vikings are being treated as possible buyers, with Indianapolis suddenly presenting a market that could fit a team looking to add help without waiting for the season to settle further.
Among the names tied to that possibility are Jonathan Taylor, Mo Alie-Cox and DeForest Buckner, each carrying a different kind of appeal depending on what Minnesota wants to prioritize. The contract details and roles around those players make the fit worth sorting through, especially with Buckner's situation drawing attention after the loss, but for now it remains exactly that - a deadline lane to monitor rather than a deal already taking shape. [Read more 🡒]