The Vikings Have Yet Another Injury Headache
The Minnesota Vikings will depart the United States on Thursday for Dublin, where they will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that could be played without outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel.
With the Week 4 game in Ireland just three days away, another player is trending in the wrong direction on the injury report.
For a second day in a row, Van Ginkel did not practice, hinting that he won’t be involved this weekend against Aaron Rodgers’ team.
Pile of Vikings Injuries Includes Andrew Van Ginkel
Friday will have to go quite well for Van Ginkel at practice.
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel Has Not Practiced This Week
No stranger to injuries this season, Minnesota may have to live without Van Ginkel in Week 4. Star Tribune‘s Emily Leiker tweeted, “Thursday, Of note from today’s Vikings practice, the last in Eagan before team departs for Dublin: C.J. Ham (knee) was on the rehab field working out with a trainer. He’ll be eligible for return from IR after Sunday. No Andrew Van Ginkel (neck), but Javon Hargrave (ribs) was out there.”
Van Ginkel recently healed from a concussion that he suffered in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Now his neck is ailing him.
Usually, two DNPs (did not practice) indicate a player will not partake in that week’s game, barring a sudden shift on Friday.
Hints That He Won’t Play
A Wednesday (or first practice of the week) where a player doesn’t participate can generally be chalked up to a nothingburger, with Thursday (or the second day of practice) as the almighty clue about his trend for the upcoming game.
Well, Van Ginkel didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Moreover, he only played eight snaps in last Sunday’s dub over the Cincinnati Bengals. Remarkably, Van Ginkel banked two sacks in eight snaps, so that part is commendable as it gets.
Still, DNPs this week hint at a clear fate for Dublin: Van Ginkel is not on a promising track to see the field.
Dallas Turner Time?
Thankfully, Minnesota has a contingency plan for this scenario, and his name is Dallas Turner.
The second-year EDGE has taken major strides so far this season, aided by Van Ginkel’s non-involvement in Week 2 and a miniature glimpse in Week 3. The Vikings drafted Turner in Round 1 about a year and a half ago, and because Van Ginkel played at a Pro Bowl level in 2024, Turner only saw defensive action on 28% of snaps as a rookie.
That is changing in Year No. 2, and Turner is very vividly developing before the coaching staff’s eyes.
No Van Ginkel in Ireland would put Turner in line for a starter’s workload — again.
The Other Vikings’ Injuries
Here’s the full injury skinny from Thursday:
- Limited Practice: Javon Hargrave (DT, Chest)
- Did Not Practice: Christian Darrisaw (LT, Rest Day)
- Did Not Practice: Donovan Jackson (LG, Wrist)
- Did Not Practice: J.J. McCarthy (QB, Ankle)
- Did Not Practice: Andrew Van Ginkel (OLB, Neck)
- Did Not Practice: Ben Yurosek (TE, Knee)
- Full Practice: Josh Metellus (S, Foot)
- Full Practice: Ryan Kelly (C, Concussion)
- Full Practice: Jalen Redmond (DT, Hand)
- Full Practice: Justin Skule (OT, Concussion)
Van Ginkel’s status will remain the weekly cliffhanger.
Kevin O’Connell on Van Ginkel
Vikings skipper Kevin O’Connell said about Van Ginkel this week: “He came out of the game feeling good. Then he just has had some residual issues, more tied to, probably the neck I would say.”
“He’s out of the protocol and cleared that through the medical process last week. Now we’re just working through what his week is gonna look like leading into Sunday.”
Our Ted Schwerzler remarked on Van Ginkel on Wednesday: “It remains to be seen if he will get a full or limited practice in prior to the game. Through two games this season, Van Ginkel has a pair of sacks and seven tackles. He also has a quarterback hit and two tackles for loss. As the edge rusher opposite Jonathan Greenard, Van Ginkel has helped to create a formidable front seven for Brian Flores’ defense.”
“If Van Ginkel is unable to go, as was the case in Week 2, then Dallas Turner will again be expected to step up and provide additional reps. Turner has a single sack this season along with nine tackles, two quarterback hits, and one tackle for loss.”
Minnesota is a 2.5-point favorite this weekend against the Steelers. The Vikings have never lost a game in a foreign country.
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