Vikings Speedster Will Finally See the Offense
The Minnesota Vikings won’t have quarterback J.J. McCarthy on Christmas Day because of a hand injury, but as a slight consolation, all signs point to running back Ty Chandler returning to the lineup after 16 weeks.
With the Vikings’ backfield suddenly in flux, Chandler’s return could turn into a rare late-season audition, and maybe a sneaky Week 17 weapon.
Minnesota formally activated Chandler on Tuesday, two days before the Detroit Lions arrive in town, and he should receive a healthy dose of touches in Week 17.
Ty Chandler’s Late-Season Opening Arrives for Minnesota
Alas, Chandler has returned — and the Vikings need him.
Chandler Activated to 53-Man Roster
Chandler is back. Vikings.com‘s Lindsey Young announced Tuesday, “The Vikings are activating Ty Chandler from Injured Reserve, the team announced Tuesday. Chandler had been designated for return on Dec. 3, opening a 21-day window during which the team could decide whether or not to elevate him to the active roster.”
“The running back had been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in Week 1, a game he gritted out and helped the Vikings win at Chicago. A 2022 fifth-round draft pick, Chandler has played in 38 games for the Vikings.”
Chandler’s teammate, running back Jordan Mason, injured his ankle last weekend, and most don’t expect him to play on Christmas Day against the Lions. All of a sudden, a need is created for a running back to close out the season, and Chandler is just what the doctor ordered.
ClutchPoints‘ Jared Kawanda noted on Mason this week, “Although Mason has been the Vikings’ leading rusher in eight of their 15 games to date, he has taken a back seat to Jones lately. The veteran has slowly taken over the backfield since returning from a four-game injury absence in Week 8.”
“Mason has played fewer than 30 percent of the Vikings’ offensive snaps in six of the eight games since Jones’ return, according to Pro Football Reference. During that same frame, Jones has played 55 percent or more of the snaps in five of his last seven outings. Barring a miracle, Jones will likely lead the Vikings’ backfield in Week 17 with undrafted rookie Zavier Scott backing him up. Scott led Minnesota with 16 rushing yards on two carries in Week 8.”
First Action in Months
Chandler’s career arc could look very different in three months, which makes now a reasonable time to finally squeeze something meaningful out of the veteran running back.
He hasn’t logged a single offensive snap in 2025. In fact, the last time Chandler held a real role in Minnesota’s offense was roughly two years ago, back in December 2023. That season unraveled quickly for Alexander Mattison, who struggled as an RB1, then went down injured, opening the door for Chandler to take over. He responded by torching the Bengals on the road for 130 rushing yards and a score, before sliding back into the background once Aaron Jones arrived the following year.
This upcoming stretch may represent Chandler’s final legitimate window to show the coaching staff and front office that he still belongs in the long-term picture before offseason roster decisions arrive.
Chandler logged 13 special teams snaps in Week 1 before the knee injury halted his momentum.
Just in Time for Possible End to Vikings Chapter
Chandler is on deck for free agency, which is less than three months away. The Vikings already have Jones and Mason under contract for 2026, suggesting a second contract for Chandler is unlikely.
The speedy Viking is also old for a running back to be seeking his second contract; he will turn 28 in May. Some team will likely sign him in the offseason as an RB3, but these final games are probably his last hurrah in Minnesota. Yes, he’s auditioning for the rest of the league.
The Vikings could also benefit from drafting a productive RB1 talent. They have not done so in almost eight years, with Dalvin Cook as the last example.
RB1 on Christmas … or RB2?
Jones is Minnesota’s RB1, and usually, he would claim that job on Christmas and (pun intended) run with it. But like Mason in New York, Jones suffered an injury, too, playing through the pain to help close out the Giants for good.
On two Week 17 injury reports from Monday and Tuesday, Jones was listed as a limited participant. It is unclear if he will be cleared by Thursday afternoon or carry a Questionable designation all the way to kickoff.
If Jones missed the Christmas game, Chandler would be in line for an RB1 workload or RB2 at worst, with running back Zavier Scott in the mix as well.
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