The Vikings got out of Soldier Field with a win and, for the most part, with their roster intact. That matters in Week 3, because the injury list is short - but not empty - and one of the names on it could push Caleb Banks into a much bigger job.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said punter Brett Thorson is dealing with a hamstring issue and will be further examined. He also said defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is day to day with a hip injury, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
If Ingram-Dawkins can’t play, Banks could be in line for a heavier workload against the Buccaneers.
That would be a notable turn after a shaky start to the year. In his NFL debut against the Packers, Banks was on the field for just 16 snaps and didn’t record a stat. But he looked far more involved in Week 2 against the Bears, finishing with six tackles, one tackle for loss, four run stops and his first quarterback pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 6-foot-6, 327-pound lineman has been a study in extremes since the Vikings drafted him. The buzz around him has swung from generational prospect to generational bust, sometimes almost by the day.
His tools are obvious: rare size, burst and power. But injuries and shaky fundamentals have kept him in a reserve role early on, and patience is never plentiful when a first-round pick isn’t producing right away.
Still, the Bears game offered a better snapshot of what Minnesota thought it was drafting. Banks got real push inside, at times driving veteran Joe Thuney back into Caleb Williams’ lap, and he flashed more impact in the run game as well. There was still more left to unlock, but it was a clear step forward from a disappointing preseason and Week 1.
After that game, Banks talked about where his confidence stands.
"It's been up-and-down," Banks said. "Coming from Florida, you think you're the best guy in the world-nobody can block you.
Then you get slammed to the ground, and your confidence is completely gone, but as long as you stay focused, you should be good. It's pretty high right now."
If the Vikings need him to start Sunday, Banks will face a tough test against a strong Tampa Bay front. And after the way he looked in Chicago, Minnesota may be counting on that confidence to translate into real production.
In Other News...
Vikings Young Talent Is Already Separating After Ugly Week 2
The Vikings may have escaped Week 2 with an ugly 9-3 win over the Bears, but the bigger takeaway is how quickly some of the rosters younger pieces are starting to sort themselves out. Minnesota sits atop its division after a game that was more grind than glamour, and that usually gives a coaching staff a clearer read on who can be trusted when the offense is sputtering and every possession matters. Banks was active with six tackles, while Donovan Jackson kept building on a strong start at guard, giving the Vikings reasons to feel good about a couple of key developmental spots.
Elsewhere, the picture was less settled. Tai Felton and Claiborne were unable to carve out much of a role, which only sharpens the competition as the season goes on, and Brett Thorson continued to help flip field position as a punter before the hamstring issue surfaced. For a team trying to protect an early lead in the division, those little separations matter, even if the full answer on the young group is still a week-by-week proposition. [Read more 🡒]
Bears QB Trouble Just Got Worse After That Vikings Game
Tyson Bagents status is the latest quarterback concern to spill out of the Bears meeting with the Vikings, and it leaves Chicagos offense in a tricky spot heading into Week 3. Bagent is now in the NFLs concussion protocol, adding another layer of uncertainty to a QB room already dealing with Caleb Williams hamstring issue, which has him listed week to week.
If Williams cannot go against the Eagles, Case Keenum would be the next man up, a scenario that underscores how quickly the Bears depth chart has thinned. Keenum brings experience, but his recent starting history is limited, with his last starts coming in 2023 and 2018, so Chicagos answer under center could come down to how much health the team can recover in just a few days. [Read more 🡒]
Rob Brzezinski's Tough Call Helped Spark The Vikings Pass Rush
The Vikings decision to move Jonathan Greenard to the Eagles on draft weekend was not the kind of deal that promised an immediate payoff. It brought back two late third-round picks and, as interim general manager Rob Brzezinski acknowledged, it did not make the roster better right away, which is often the uncomfortable part of any front-office gamble.
Dallas Turner has since turned that patience into something more tangible for Minnesotas defense. His rise as a leading pass rusher has given the Vikings a fresh edge off the line, and it has helped frame Brzezinskis hard call as one of those moves that can look far more sensible once the season starts unfolding, even if the full story is still being written. [Read more 🡒]