Vikings Drop Fantastic Offensive Line Update
Injuries decimated the Minnesota Vikings through the first five games of the regular season, but via trickle effect after the bye week, the club is returning to optimal health, especially on its offensive line.
If you’re anxious about getting the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line back to tip-top shape, well, the team had a wonderful update for you on Monday.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill, guard Donovan Jackson, and reserve center Michael Jurgens will practice this week, inching the franchise back to full strength in the trenches.
Health of Vikings’ Offensive Line Takes Shape
It’s about damn time, eh?
Brian O’Neill to Practice
Various Vikings players on both sides of the ball are nearing game shape. ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted Monday, “Vikings will open LB Blake Cashman’s 21-day IR return window today. Per Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings will also have QB J.J. McCarthy, C Michael Jurgens, LG Donovan Jackson and RT Brian O’Neill back on the practice field this week in various capacities. Bonus practice today.”
The O’Neill nugget was a mini-bombshell because after suffering a sprained MCL nine days ago, some players can miss up to three months when the ailment is severe.
The clues suggest that O’Neill endured a mild or moderate sprain, given that he’ll practice this week.
Donovan Jackson, Too
Jackson’s return to practice is less shocking than O’Neill’s but equally impactful.
The Vikings’ 1st-Round guard from the most recent draft turned heads in the first three regular season games with his readiness. Rookies often take time to acclimate in the NFL, and while Jackson, of course, has a long way to go, he did an admirable job of holding down the fort on the left side of the offensive line.
He’ll also have the added perk of Christian Darrisaw next to him, which will only make him look better.
Don’t Forget the Backup Center
Jurgens, too, could be a big deal for the trenches.
One Viking missing from the injury update was Ryan Kelly, who was placed on injured reserve last week due to two concussions in three games — and five overall in his career. In theory, Jurgens could resume his starting center duty this weekend, after tackle-turned-guard-turned-center Blake Brandel filled in for Kelly and Jurgens in Week 5.
Jurgens isn’t a superstar by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a true center and might be better than Brandel after Jurgens banks more game experience.
Closer to Full Strength
The general takeaway? Minnesota’s offensive line is healing. Injuries utterly ravaged the unit out of the gate in 2025.
There’s a decent chance that this offensive line sees the field in Week 7 or Week 8:
- Christian Darrisaw (LT)
- Donovan Jackson (LG)
- Michael Jurgens — or — Blake Brandel (C)
- Will Fries (RG)
- Brian O’Neill (RT)
Minus Kelly, that’s the closest combination to authentic starters that Minnesota has seen in over a month.
More on the Vikings’ Offense
Zone Coverage‘s Chris Schad opined on the purple offense last week, “All of this comes back to the quarterback. While he hasn’t played well outside of a fourth-quarter comeback in the season-opening win against the Chicago Bears, the success of this year’s team wasn’t about McCarthy’s ability to be 2018 Patrick Mahomes.”
“Instead, it was about the pieces around him that could lift his floor and help him lead the team to victory. Darrisaw will be another week removed from his recovery process and will have a week off to refresh. Rookie Donovan Jackson and Brian O’Neill may also be ready to return after the bye week, giving the Vikings four of the five starters they planned on having going into this year.”
Minnesota should tab a starting quarterback as early as Friday — McCarthy or Wentz.
“That could allow Hockenson to go back to his role as a safety blanket and vertical threat, and getting Addison back could allow Justin Jefferson to look like his usual self. More big plays mean more points, and Minnesota’s defense could pin its ears back and try to get to the quarterback in must-pass scenarios. While they’ve been playing football for a month, this is the identity that O’Connell wants his team to have, and it could result in a fresh start when they emerge from the bye,” Schad continued.
“That could make life easier for McCarthy when he’s ready to return and solve one of the biggest mysteries that has presented itself to the 2025 Minnesota Vikings.”
Normally, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Vikings’ next opponent, have one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL. Getting closer to full OL health is quite timely.
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