Unsung Vikings Rookie Could Make NFL Debut on Sunday
Injuries have represented one of the Minnesota Vikings’ main storylines through six weeks of the regular season, but after the bye week, players are inching closer to showtime. One such man is undrafted rookie EDGE rusher Tyler Batty.
Week 7 has plenty of storylines for the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles, but don’t forget about Tyler Batty’s first chance to play in the NFL.
Batty hasn’t played at all in his maiden voyage season, sidelined by an injury. But with any luck, the BYU alumnus could debut this week if the injury report has it right.
Vikings OLB Tyler Batty Practices
Batty was part of a deep undrafted free agent class in Minnesota.
Tyler Batty Off IR; Practicing for Week 7
Minnesota released its first injury report of the week on Wednesday, and among several players practicing in a limited capacity, Batty earned a full designation.
The timeline aligns with what Vikings.com‘s Lindsey Young wrote on October 1st: “Ham and Batty started the season on Injured Reserve/Designated to Return due to respective knee injuries. The fullback and outside linebacker traveled with the Vikings for their back-to-back International Series games against the Steelers and Browns.”
“The Vikings departed Dublin Monday following their loss to Pittsburgh and arrived in London to prepare for a matchup with Cleveland. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. (CT) Sunday. Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell spoke with Twin Cities media members Tuesday morning. In addition to sharing Brian O’Neill had been diagnosed with an MCL sprain, he noted the update on Ham and Batty.”
That was two weeks ago, and after Batty’s window was opened, he’s now practicing fully as of October 15th.
Chance for NFL Debut on Sunday
Batty, somewhat surprisingly, made the Vikings’ 53-man roster in August before the IR fate to start the season. The knee injury obviously delayed his rookie debut, but the time is here. It’s just that no one is too sure if he has the chops for gameday experience over a man like Bo Richter, for example, who has played 31 defensive snaps so far. Richter is a second-year EDGE, making the regular season roster two years in a row as a fellow undrafted free agent.
Minnesota liked Batty enough to keep him on the 53-man roster over Gabriel Murphy, who utterly shone during the preseason, so much so that Vikings fans expected Murphy to play a large role in the regular season. That Murphy forecast has not come to life through six weeks of 2025. He’s a practice squader.
Batty, though, is more of a mystery.
Batty’s Rookie Profile
Ready for a strange rookie factoid on Batty. Please be seated. Batty is 26 years old. He should be playing on a second NFL contract by now. Instead, Batty spent five seasons at BYU, racking up 16.5 sacks along the way, a member of teams, at times, led by former Vikings quarterback Jaren Hall.
NFL.com‘s Lance Zierlein on the 6’6″ 270-pounder before April’s draft: “Batty has played standing on occasion, but he will be a 4-3, strong-side defensive end in the NFL. He’s densely muscled and plays with consistent aggression at the point. He hustles in pursuit, too.”
“He has some snap in his initial punch but lacks the length and twitch quickness to get away from blocks quickly and will succumb to power from tackles. He creates pressure with hops and euro-steps to gain ground. He has strong hands to discard the punch but won’t beat most pro tackles with speed or power. He’s an older rookie and an effort player, but it’s not clear if he’ll have the physical gifts or skill level to become a “make it” prospect.”
Added OLB Depth
Vikings outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel is navigating a neck injury recovery and will probably be back in the lineup sometime in the next few weeks.
In the meantime, with Batty healthy, here’s the OLB group:
- Jonathan Greenard
- Dallas Turner
- Bo Richter
- Chaz Chambliss
- Tyler Batty
- Gabriel Murphy (Practice Squad)
More on Batty’s NFL Debut
Our Kyle Joudry also weighed in on Batty this month: “Batty, meanwhile, is largely unproven. The intrigue rests in his capacity to get plugged into a defensive line that sometimes cedes too much ground on the ground. Put differently, a defense that needs further help when stopping the run. Like with C.J. Ham, Tyler Batty isn’t going to be the silver bullet.”
“Minnesota has kept them within the team’s orbit for a reason, though. With Ham especially, the Vikings would be welcoming back a rugged leader who can help the offense and specials to shine. Note that shuffling one or both of these players off of the IR and back onto the 53-man roster would mean trimming a player somewhere else (similar to the receiver goodbye for the lineman signing). Who gets subtracted remains to be seen; simply be aware that a 53-man roster is a zero-sum game. Every add requires a subtraction.”
The Vikings rank 11th in the NFL entering Week 7 in sacks per game.
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