The Vikings are 3-0, and that alone says a lot about where this team stands heading into Sunday’s matchup with the Dolphins. But even with the unbeaten start, Minnesota still has a clear problem to sort out in the backfield behind Aaron Jones Sr.
Jones has done his part as the lead runner, piling up 203 rushing yards and a touchdown on 62 carries. The issue is what comes after him.
Jordan Mason remains on injured reserve and has to miss at least two more games, which has pushed Demond Claiborne and DeeJay Dallas into bigger roles. So far, that hasn’t gone anywhere productive: the two have combined for just 11 rushing yards on six carries.
The Vikings have also tried to add some depth with practice-squad moves, bringing in Audric Estime and Devin Neal, but there’s no guarantee either one changes the picture. If nobody steps forward as a dependable No. 2 behind Jones, Minnesota could look for outside help before the Nov. 10 trade deadline, especially if Mason hits another setback.
That’s where the Chargers come into the conversation.
Los Angeles is 0-3 and sitting at the bottom of the AFC West behind the Chiefs, Raiders, and Broncos. With NFL odds giving them a 90% chance of missing the playoffs, the Chargers could end up in seller mode by the time the deadline arrives.
They’re not moving Omarion Hampton or Keaton Mitchell, but Kimani Vidal could be a different story. Drafted 181st overall by the Chargers in 2024, Vidal has been pushed to the margins since Mike McDaniel took over as offensive coordinator this offseason.
He has only one carry for six yards and has been limited to 28 offensive snaps. His usage on special teams has also jumped, with 19 snaps there already compared to 37 combined over the previous two seasons.
That kind of role doesn’t exactly scream long-term trust, and if things stay that way, a trade starts to make sense. Vidal is under contract through this season and would be a restricted free agent afterward, but that doesn’t guarantee the Chargers would even tender him.
For the Vikings, he’s the kind of player worth chasing if he becomes available.
Vidal didn’t do much early this season, but last year told a different story. In 13 games, including 10 starts, he averaged 4.1 yards per carry on 155 rushing attempts, finishing with 643 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
He also added 16 catches for 136 yards and a score. That worked out to 59.9 scrimmage yards per game, which projected to 1,018 over a 17-game season.
Minnesota also got a close look at one of his best performances. In a 37-10 road win for the Chargers in Week 8 last season, Vidal ran 23 times for 117 yards and scored the first touchdown of his career. That’s the kind of showing that can stick in a team’s mind when it’s looking for help.
Claiborne and Dallas have had their chances, and neither has given the Vikings enough reason to feel comfortable moving forward with the current setup. Vidal, meanwhile, is young, underused, and sitting in a spot where a change of scenery could make sense for everyone involved.
If he’s made available, Minnesota should be right there.
In Other News...
Vikings Face A Huge Sunday Question As Injury Concerns Mount
The injury picture for Sundays game at U.S. Bank Stadium is getting cloudier for both sides, and the Vikings are dealing with one of the biggest names on the entire matchup report. Minnesota and Miami each released their second injury reports, and the list includes key players who did not practice as the teams worked through the week leading into kickoff.
Justin Jefferson is among the notable Vikings absences, while Dolphins running back DeVon Achane also sat out practice and is trending toward not playing. Several other players across both rosters were listed with limited or full participation, leaving a handful of availability questions still open as the teams head toward Sunday with more than a little uncertainty hanging over the matchup. [Read more 🡒]
Ivan Pace Jr. Just Forced A Vikings Snap Count Debate
Ivan Pace Jr. has found himself in a tricky early-season spot, with his playing time trimmed as the Vikings sort through roles at linebacker in 2026. Even so, Week 3 against the Buccaneers was a reminder of why the team still values him. Pace made his presence felt in passing situations, flashing the kind of burst and disruption that has made him useful on third downs and on special teams, even as Minnesota continues to lean on newer options like Jake Golday for more overall snaps.
The bigger question is how the Vikings keep balancing Paces strengths with the parts of his game theyre still trying to protect him from. He has shown he can help change a passing series, but the coaching staff also appears intent on limiting his exposure against the run. For now, that leaves Pace in a familiar and awkward middle ground: too effective to ignore, but not quite locked into a full-time role, which is exactly the kind of snap-count debate that can linger deep into a season. [Read more 🡒]
J.J. McCarthy Report Adds Tension To Vikings Quarterback Transition
During J.J. McCarthys injury absence, the Vikings were forced to lean on Sam Darnold, and a new report from Connor Hughes on SNYs NYG411 adds an unexpected layer to that stretch. The discussion around McCarthy now goes beyond simple rehab and recovery, because it points to a young quarterback watching from the sideline while another passer handled the offense in his place.
What makes the situation worth watching is the potential for that kind of reaction to affect the transition Minnesota has been managing behind the scenes. Teams can survive a backup quarterback stint if everyone stays aligned, but any hint of frustration or jealousy can complicate the handoff once the starter is ready again, and the Vikings may have more to sort through than just the depth chart. [Read more 🡒]