Vikings Speedster Plots Comeback
Here’s a name you haven’t heard of or thought about in weeks or months: Ty Chandler. The Minnesota Vikings’ running back has spent almost all of the season on injured reserve, but with some perseverance, the speedster is on his way back.
A Minnesota Vikings veteran running back is plotting a return from injured reserve, positioning himself for a late-season return to the rotation.
The Vikings opened Chandler’s practice window, meaning he’ll return to the field any day.
Vikings Ty Chandler Back from Injury
Chandler will be removed from all milk cartons.
Chandler’s Practice Window Opens
The news won’t set the world on fire because the Vikings are one loss away — or one Green Bay Packers win — from postseason elimination, but Chandler’s practice window is indeed open.
NBC Sports‘ Charean Williams wrote Wednesday, “The Vikings designated running back Ty Chandler to return from injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday. It opens his 21-day practice window. Chandler injured his knee in the season-opening win over the Bears. He finished the game, returning a late kickoff to get the clock inside the 2-minute warning.”
“Chandler, a 2022 fifth-round pick, has appeared in 38 games with the Vikings, with four starts on offense and multiple roles on special teams. He has rushed 164 times for 663 yards and three touchdowns. Chandler also has caught 27 passes for 201 yards on 31 targets.”
Minnesota will welcome back its longtime RB3 to the mix.
Just in Time for a 2025 Evaluation
Chandler’s career could change markedly in three months, so now is an appropriate time to see some juice from the veteran tailback.
He hasn’t played on offense at all in 2025, and in fact, the last time Chandler held a starting role in the Vikings offense occurred about two years ago — December 2023. That season, Alexander Mattison struggled profusely as an RB1, later fell injured, and Chandler took over as the top guy. He spanked the Cincinnati Bengals on the road that year for 130 rushing yards and a touchdown, later taking a backseat the following season when Aaron Jones came aboard via free agency.
The following handful of games might be Chandler’s last best chance to strut his stuff for Minnesota’s coaching staff and front office before roster decisions are made in the offseason.
Chandler participated in 13 special teams snaps in Week 1 before suffering the knee injury.
The Shape of the RB Room
The Arizona Cardinals stole little-known halfback Corey Kiner from the Vikings’ practice squad this week, so with that development, plus Chandler’s soon-to-be return to the field, the RB room has shifted a bit.
Here’s the current lay of the land:
- Aaron Jones
- Jordan Mason
- Zavier Scott
- Ty Chandler (Practice Window Open)
- C.J. Ham (Fullback)
If Chandler plays a somewhat meaningful role down the stretch of this season, it won’t really matter at all that Arizona pilfered Kiner.
Free Agency Next Up
In about three months, Chandler is slated to test free agency pastures for the first time. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah selected him in Round 5 of the 2022 Draft, a now-infamous event in Vikings lore. During the aforementioned stretch of 2023, Chandler appeared to be a commendable asset from the failed 2022 class, which featured Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, Ed Ingram, and Brian Asamoah, but Chandler’s stock later faded as well.
There’s a decent chance that Adofo-Mensah doesn’t re-up with Chandler beyond this season, meaning he’ll dip his toes in free agency and hope to catch on elsewhere as an RB2 or RB3.
In that vein, December and January are quite important to Chandler’s career trajectory.
Janik Eckardt on Chandler
Our Janik Eckardt noted on Chandler this week, “Chandler missed most of his rookie campaign with a thumb injury. Even if healthy, with Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison available all year, it would’ve been hard for him to earn some reps.”
“When Cook departed in the following offseason, Mattison was installed as the new RB1, and Chandler was promoted to his primary backup. The former fifth-rounder was also the top kick returner for parts of the 2023 season and the entire 2024 campaign. He has 15 returns for 386 yards on his resume at a time when most coaches would just take touchbacks.”
Chandler is known for his 4.38 speed.
“In Week 1 of this season — his only appearance this season — Chandler returned three kicks, including one in the clutch when he checked with O’Connell to get instructions given the time-sensitive element of the play. It remains to be seen if he can return in time for Week 14,” Eckardt continued.
“Starter Jones has been dealing with shoulder problems for a couple of weeks, and there might be some carries available for Scott or Chandler if he’s set to miss a game. Chandler, 27, could be back soon for what could be the last few games of his Vikings career.”
The point spread has shifted for Vikings-Commanders. It started the week in Washington’s favor by a point and a half; now Chandler’s Vikings are expected to prevail by two or three.
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