The Vikings are tweaking the edges of their Week 1 setup, and the most meaningful changes come from two practice-squad elevations: outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and running back DeeJay Dallas.
Minnesota brought both veterans up for Sunday’s season opener against the Green Bay Packers, giving the team extra flexibility without altering the 53-man roster. Both players signed to the practice squad on Sept. 2, and the move makes them eligible to suit up at U.S.
Bank Stadium, where kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m. CT.
Van Noy’s elevation is the one that most clearly shifts how Minnesota will likely operate on defense. The official transaction note doesn’t slot him into the depth chart, but the expectation is straightforward: he should work as the Vikings’ third edge rusher behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. Saturday’s move effectively bumps Chaz Chambliss and Bo Richter down the pecking order, even if the unofficial depth chart from Wednesday doesn’t show it.
That matters because Van Noy brings a very specific kind of value. At 35, he is not being asked to block Turner’s development.
Minnesota has already committed to Turner in a bigger role after his eight-sack 2025 campaign, and the idea that he’s under overwhelming pressure has been overstated. Van Noy instead gives Brian Flores a veteran who knows the system and can handle real snaps if Green Bay wants to lean on the run or speed the game up.
He also gives the defense another movable pass-rush option in a matchup that looks favorable for Minnesota.
Dallas’ role is less flashy, but it still sharpens the game-day picture. He is more likely to help on special teams than make noise in the Aaron Jones-Jordan Mason backfield, and his experience gives special teams coordinator Matt Daniels another reliable return and coverage piece. It also helps protect Myles Price, while keeping Jones and Mason away from unnecessary kicking-game duties.
With those elevations in place, Minnesota’s working Week 1 depth chart looks like this: Kyler Murray at quarterback; Jones or Mason at running back; Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings at receiver; T.J. Hockenson at tight end; and Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Blake Brandel, Will Fries and Brian O’Neill across the offensive line.
On defense, the front includes Jalen Redmond, Levi Drake Rodriguez and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins. Turner and Van Ginkel are the starters on the edges, with Van Noy projected as the first rotational option. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson are at inside linebacker, Isaiah Rodgers and Byron Murphy Jr. are at cornerback, and Joshua Metellus and Harrison Smith are at safety.
The special teams group features Will Reichard at kicker, Brett Thorson at punter, Andrew DePaola at long snapper, and Price as the primary returner. Dallas’ presence simply adds another experienced hand to that unit.
Van Noy may draw the bigger headline, but both elevations make the Vikings cleaner and more functional for Sunday.
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