Longtime Viking Appears to Be Back
Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham, the team’s second-longest-tenured player, missed the first four games of the regular season. But per the latest injury report, Ham appears to be back, which is welcome news for a team reeling from injuries.
Amid a lengthy list of injury woes for the Minnesota Vikings, C.J. Ham appears to be ready to return to the lineup as early as this week.
Minnesota will make an official designation on Ham later this week, but all signs point to his return as early as Sunday in London.
The Return of Vikings FB C.J. Ham Is Near
A sight for sore eyes on the Vikings’ lengthy injury report.
Fullback C.J. Ham Logs Full Practice
And just like that, Ham is eligible to return. Vikings.com‘s Lindsey Young wrote Wednesday, “The Vikings opened C.J. Ham and Tyler Batty’s 21-day practice window Wednesday, the team announced. 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.”
Even if Ham isn’t ready for this weekend against the Browns, his return is imminent.
21-Day Return Window Officially Opened
The window opening means Minnesota has three weeks to formally activate Ham — and Batty — for the 53-man roster while dropping a player or two to make room.
Kevin O’Connell said about the return of Ham and Batty, “Both of those guys should have their windows opened and start working their way toward returning. When their return would be, I don’t know. It could be as early as this weekend. It could be at any point in time during that 21 days.”
Ham also logged the aforementioned full practice in London, usually an indicator that a player will be in the lineup for the upcoming game. Otherwise, Ham would’ve been limited or not practiced at all.
‘About Time’ on Good News via Injury
The last month has contained just dreadful injury news for the purple team. In fact, so many players have missed games, generally been hobbled, or hit injured reserve that it’s difficult to keep up. To date, injuries have affected these notable players:
- Blake Cashman
- Christian Darrisaw
- Aaron Jones
- Donovan Jackson
- Ryan Kelly
- Rondale Moore
- J.J. McCarthy
- Brian O’Neill
- Jeff Okudah
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Harrison Smith
- C.J. Ham
And that doesn’t even account for reserve players.
In a normal season, the fullback returning to the lineup might be a footnote, but not in 2025.
Help with Pass Protection
Concurrently, Ham can help with Minnesota’s pass protection as immediately as this Sunday if the coaching and training staff green-light his return.
Minnesota ranks dead last in sacks allowed, even after formulating an extensive offensive line plan during the offseason. This week, it will trot out a makeshift offensive line that is likely to feature Michael Jurgens or Joe Huber instead of Ryan Kelly, Justin Skule instead of Brian O’Neill, and Blake Brandel instead of Donovan Jackson.
While Ham isn’t an offensive lineman, his pass protection will be used from the jump if he is cleared to play.
More Ham Notes
The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman noted on Ham this week: “Ham landed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2017, which makes him the second-longest tenured player on the team.”
“He has kept the fullback position alive in the Vikings’ offense (262 snaps last season), while being proficient with the touches he gets, and he has been a core special teamer since he arrived. The games he has missed to start his season were the first games he has missed since the 2020 season.”
On paper, the 2025 season is Ham’s final in Minnesota. He’ll need a new contract next offseason, or he’ll be in line to test free agency for the first time.
Berreman continued, “The exact injury that landed Ham on IR at roster cuts in late-August has never been disclosed. He was on the injury report late last season with an ankle injury, but he did not miss any time, and surgery in February makes it unlikely he was still dealing with that specific injury.”
“It was also assumed not to necessarily be a season-threatening issue, since a different timing of placing him on IR would have ended his season before it started if it was deemed necessary. In any case, whether he can come off IR and play in Week 5 against the Browns or if he’s able to return after the bye week, the Vikings will welcome Ham’s veteran presence back with open arms.”
On offensive line efficiency, Pro Football Focus ranks the Vikings at No. 16 in the sport heading into Week 5.
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