Vikings Set to Get 2 Key Starters Back on Sunday
The road has been treacherous for the 2025 Minnesota Vikings, as injuries have accumulated at an unprecedented rate. But after the bye week and facing the Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, the team is set to return at least two starters: linebacker Blake Cashman and guard Donovan Jackson.
With the Eagles coming to town, the Minnesota Vikings will welcome two starters back this weekend and the possibility of a couple more.
The pair practiced fully in Eagan this week, suggesting full availability for Week 7, which will be needed to knock off a team like Philadelphia.
Vikings Starters Blake Cashman & Donovan Jackson Return
It’s about time for a wave of good health, eh?
Blake Cashman Returns from IR
The Vikings will likely formally activate Cashman from his 21-day return to practice window, and just like that, Brian Flores will have one of his defensive leaders back in the mix.
FantasyPros wrote this week, “Blake Cashman (hamstring) was a full participant at practice on Thursday. Cashman is currently in his 21-day practice window, but it looks like he will have a good chance to be activated in time for Sunday’s game, as he has been a full participant at practice all week so far. His imminent return will be a huge boost for a Minnesota defense that has already looked great this year.”
Players don’t typically practice in full and then sit out the upcoming game, especially starters like Cashman.
Eric Wilson will presumably return to his reserve role, though some Vikings have wondered if Wilson might keep a noteworthy snap count while Ivan Pace Jr., who has struggled at times this season, sees a diminished workload.
Donovan Jackson’s Two-Game Absence Over
In Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, rookie guard Donovan Jackson injured his wrist, convincing the team’s training and coaching staff to let him play through the injury in the Week 3 pounding of the Cincinnati Bengals. Jackson’s plan worked, as he participated in the Week 3 dub, but the next day, he had surgery on his wrist in Los Angeles.
The Ohio State alumnus avoided IR, missed two games, and then practiced fully this week.
He’s totally off the injury report and will start Sunday against the Eagles. Joe Huber will return to the bench after making his first NFL start in London.
Our Janik Eckardt on Jackson, “As always with draft decisions, it’s fair to argue whether that was the right call or not, but through his first three games, Jackson has been a promising player. Unfortunately, Jackson missed the last two games due to a surprise wrist surgery.”
“On Monday, O’Connell announced that Jackson would return to practice this week. It remains to be seen whether he can be available for Sunday’s showdown against the Eagles and their strong defensive line. In Week 5, the Vikings were forced to slide undrafted rookie Joe Huber into the starting lineup.”
Jackson will have his hands full with Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter in or near his face on Sunday.
Eckardt added, “Jackson would certainly be an upgrade if healthy. His toughness and his team-first mindset were both positives in his pre-draft scouting report. Last year, Jackson moved from his usual guard spot to left tackle following teammate Josh Simmons’ knee injury.”
“That brought significant risk for his draft status, but he still made the move to help his Buckeyes secure a national title. Jackson, 22, is an easy guy to root for. One thing is clear: if there’s any chance he can play on Sunday, he will play.”
The Others?
Andrew Van Ginkel had a chance to play this week and practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. But when the rubber hit the road for the final injury report, the Vikings ruled Van Ginkel out. The attention to his neck injury recovery will pivot to Week 8 at Los Angeles — a short week due to Thursday Night Football — or Week 9 at the Detroit Lions, when J.J. McCarthy is expected to return at quarterback.
Brian O’Neill’s MCL sprain in Dublin turned out to be the best of a bad situation — no IR stint required — but those injuries can range from mild to maddening. If you’re the anxious type, keep one eye glued to the injury wire all weekend; his status will tell the story.
If he’s not ready for Week 7, expect Justin Skule to fill the spot once more. O’Neill is the big Vikings-themed mystery for the weekend.
A Much-Needed Injection against the Eagles
The Eagles have lost two straight to the Denver Broncos and New York Giants, leading to some questions about their legitimacy. That franchise seems to have a few degrees of disharmony, as well.
But let’s not kid ourselves — Philadelphia’s roster remains fantastic and doesn’t have too many holes outside of suspect outside linebacker depth.
The Vikings had a hard enough time on paper thinking about the Eagles if Minnesota had a completely healthy roster. Welcoming back Cashman and Jackson felt like requirements if the purple team wants to exit Week 7 with a 4-2 record.
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