The Minnesota Vikings have already settled the quarterback question for Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants, and now the attention shifts to how much of the rest of the first unit will actually take the field.
According to reports, both Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will play in the game, and Kevin O’Connell said as much on Tuesday. That opens the door for more starters than fans are used to seeing in a preseason opener, even if not everyone is expected to dress.
One name that looks especially unlikely to go is Justin Jefferson. Another is starting right guard Will Fries, who has quietly been absent from practice since Monday.
Fries was not on the field Tuesday at TCO Performance Center, and Joe Huber handled the first-team reps at right guard in his place. The same thing happened again Wednesday, with Huber once more working with the starters while Fries remained out.
"Will Fries was the only starter on the offensive line who was absent. Joe Huber filled in at right guard, which suggests he probably has a safe spot on the 53-man roster."
Interesting nugget about IOL depth.
- The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 11, 2026
"Right guard Will Fries again sat out practice, with Huber taking his place with the first team."
Kevin Seifert - ESPN (Wednesday, August 12 - 7:30 PM CDT)
O’Connell’s Tuesday media session was centered on the quarterback plan, not on Fries. Then Wednesday’s focus shifted elsewhere again, this time to J.J.
McCarthy. That has left Fries’ situation murky, with no clear explanation for why he has missed the last couple of practices.
Still, the pattern points in one direction: Fries is almost certainly not playing Saturday. With only one practice left before the preseason game, there just isn’t much time left for him to get back into the mix.
The 28-year-old played all 17 games last season, though he was not the same player Colts fans knew before his broken leg in 2024, when he lasted only five games before signing with the Vikings last offseason. For now, Minnesota will have to wait and see what’s keeping him off the field this week.
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