Vikings Rumors Simmer on Christian Darrisaw, J.J. McCarthy, and Harrison Smith
The Minnesota Vikings have one more game before a European doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, taking on the Cincinnati Bengals this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Rumors are heating up around Christian Darrisaw, J.J. McCarthy, and Harrison Smith as the Vikings navigate questions heading into Week 3.
Minnesota will face an old friend in quarterback Jake Browning, who has replaced Joe Burrow as the QB1 due to Burrow’s toe ailment.
But before all that, here’s the purple rumor mill for the week.
Vikings Rumors | September 20th, 2025
Each week, VikingsTerritory documents the club’s main rumors.
Rumor: Christian Darrisaw delivered an ‘Instagram hint’ this week, which many believe is an indicator that he will play in Week 3.
Darrisaw posted a picture of himself in Vikings gear to his Instagram profile this week, causing many to believe he’ll play this weekend.
The team has been without Darrisaw since last October.
Our Kyle Joudry noted on Darrisaw’s recovery this week: “Darrisaw could come back in Week 3. If so, Carson Wentz will have a better chance of earning a win in his first start as the Vikings’ starting quarterback.”
“Keeping Darrisaw off the field in Week 3, though, would be perfectly fine if Minnesota decides that’s the best course of action for the lineman’s long-term health (something that is paramount for the lineman who is operating on a four-year, $104 million contract).”
The offensive line has performed less than desirably sans Darrisaw in the lineup.
“No Darrisaw on Sunday still offers the possible benefit of shaving off a week from an IR timeline. Darrisaw could be absent from Week 1 to Week 3 and still justify not being shuffled to the IR since he’ll be back for Week 4. In that outcome, the Vikings made the correct decision. Seeing Christian Darrisaw fail to get onto the field in Week 4 would be pretty confusing, though,” Joudry continued.
“Being absent for the initial four games would be a hard-to-explain outcome short of a behind-the-scenes setback the team didn’t foresee. Assuming all is proceeding smoothly, the Christian Darrisaw deadline has to be the overseas games even as Vikings fans will be hoping that the left tackle gets onto the field in Week 3 to square off with Trey Hendrickson.”
Darrisaw told reporters on Friday, “I’m just got to trust my body. Really be smart with it. It’s early in the year. When I’m ready, I know I’ll be ready. I’ll be back out there like myself. We’re getting close.”
So, Darrisaw’s status for Sunday is familiar: it’s a coin flip. We shall see if the Instragram clue meant anything.
Rumor: J.J. McCarthy got lucky and won’t hit Injured Reserve with his high ankle sprain.
Tuesday, September 16th, would have been the time to toss McCarthy to injured reserve if the team knew he wouldn’t be back soon.. Minnesota placed running back Aaron Jones on that shelf for the next four games. The team could’ve made it a combo platter with Jones and McCarthy.
It did no such thing, which enhanced the case for McCarthy’s injury not turning into a long-term matter.
High ankle sprains are assuredly a hassle, but McCarthy hasn’t been knocked out for the four-game minimum. That would’ve subtracted him from the Vikings’ offensive plans until Week 8 at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rumor: Harrison Smith may be on a snap count against the Bengals.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero said on the Power Trip Morning Show this week: “With Harrison Smith, it seems like this is potentially the week for him to get back. Another guy who, if they really, really needed him, they probably could have pushed him out there. If he returns, I don’t know that he’s going to get a full boat in Week 3.”
“Do they try to manage his reps at least a little bit? I know Harrison, once he gets on the field, is going to want to play 70 snaps. But I do anticipate that, barring some type of setback, we may see him out there.”
It’s the first time this year a pitch count for Smith has entered the chat — and a positive sign regarding Smith’s return. Smith had not practiced since August 11th as of last week, and nobody knew a) what was wrong b) when he would be healthy.
The first part remains unclear, but chatter about a pitch count suggests Smith will return soon, likely this Sunday.
And when Friday’s injury report hit the light of day, Smith earned a “questionable” status once again. He’s getting close, and it feels like he may actually play on Sunday against the Bengals.
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