Vikings’ First Injury Report of 2025 Brings Mixed Emotions for Fans
Ahead of the Minnesota Vikings’ regular season opener against the Chicago Bears, the team released its first injury report of the week on Thursday.
The injury report brought some clarity to a few injury questions facing the team, but while there was some good news with it, some potentially bad news came as well.
Minnesota Vikings Release First Injury Report
Here is a look at the names listed on the team’s initial injury report for Week 1:
- Christian Darrisaw (DNP, Knee)
- Zavier Scott (DNP, Ankle)
- Harrison Smith (DNP, Illness)
- Elijah Williams (DNP, Hamstring)
- Jalen Nailor (Full, Hand)
- Andrew Van Ginkel (Full, Neck)
The first bit of good news comes due to a player who was not listed on the injury report: star receiver Justin Jefferson.
The four-time Pro Bowler has been dealing with a hamstring injury for much of training camp and has not been able to do much in terms of on the field practicing as a result. Fans remember all too well when a hamstring strain sidelined Jefferson for seven games during the 2023 season, so the fact that he is not listed on the initial injury report at all should be a sign of relief.
Jefferson’s recovery comes as the Vikings have been dealing with some major troubles with their wide receiver depth. Jordan Addison learned he would officially be suspended for the first three games of the season during camp, and Rondale Moore, who was supposed to be a veteran depth piece, suffered a season-ending injury.
As a result, Minnesota decided to bring back Adam Thielen, who will presumably take over the WR2 role behind Jefferson once again until Addison returns to the lineup. If Jefferson had been unable to go in Week 1, Minnesota would have been relying on the 35-year-old to be the No. 1 target for J.J. McCarthy’s first start. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem like it will be a reality.
More good news at the wide receiver position came in the form of Jalen Nailor being able to fully participate in practice. He suffered a hand injury during a joint practice with the New England Patriots and has been shelved ever since. More disaster avoided as the Vikings only have rookies Tai Felton and Myles Price available behind him.
Another piece of positivity for the Vikings was the fact that Andrew Van Ginkel was listed as a full participant as he continues to work his way back from a neck injury. The do-it-all edge rusher put together a banner season during his first campaign in Minnesota.
It seems like the Vikings will be at full strength at their outside linebacker spot with their trio of Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Dallas Turner. Considering they will be going up against Caleb Williams, who was sacked an NFL-high 68 times during his rookie season, Monday night should provide a major opportunity for Minnesota’s pass rushers to get involved.
However, some negativity also exists with this initial report. Christian Darrisaw was listed as a DNP for Thursday’s practice as he continues to work his way back from the knee injury that ended his 2024 campaign.
Darrisaw is, of course, ahead of schedule in his recovery just by the fact that he wasn’t put on IR to begin the season. But with Week 1 being J.J. McCarthy’s first regular season NFL start, if Darrisaw is unable to suit up, it will make that first start a little extra challenging for the new Vikings QB. Keep in mind the Vikings are going against a Bears defensive front that is very talented in its own right with names like Montez Sweat, Grady Jarrett, and Gervon Dexter.
Finally, Harrison Smith was a DNP with the illness that has continued to keep him off the field. The Vikings already suffered a significant blow at the safety position this offseason when they lost Camryn Bynum to the Indianapolis Colts, so the Vikings need all hands to be on deck this year.
Minnesota does have a couple talented young safeties waiting in the wings in Theo Jackson and Jay Ward if Smith is forced to sit out of Week 1, so we will see if they get any extra snaps during the season opener.
Ultimately, we are still early in the week, and a lot can change over the next couple of days for Minnesota. The Vikings will release two more injury reports this week on Friday and Saturday.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
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