The Minnesota Vikings travel to London this week for a Sunday morning (at least by American time zones) game against the Browns. It won’t be a full crew on deck for the Vikings, however. Not only is Minnesota starting QB J.J. McCarthy still out with a high-ankle sprain, but the Vikings will be down three starting offensive lineman in London.
First-round rookie LG Donovan Jackson, C Ryan Kelly, and RT Brian O’Neill will all be out against Cleveland. Jackson is dealing with a wrist injury, O’Neill is dealing with a knee injury, and Kelly is still working through concussion symptoms. Minnesota spent money in free agency and a high draft pick to overhaul their offensive line this offseason, but they haven’t been able to keep everyone healthy.
In Jackson’s place, undrafted free agent rookie Joe Huber out of Wisconsin will start at left guard. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was asked about Huber at his press conference on Friday, and he had this to say:
“Yeah, I was mentioning this to [Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips] and a couple of our other guys today,” O’Connell said. “Just, yesterday was a little bit more of a physical practice and you’re watching Joe in there during the reps he was in, and [he] just feels so rooted and strong.”
Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on G Joe Huber’s Game
Wesley Hitt/GettyNASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 22: Joe Huber #60 of the Minnesota Vikings blocks during the first half of the NFL Preseason 2025 against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Vikings 23-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
“And he’s got some pretty unique power to him, and then enough movement skills and athleticism to kinda pair that together and still use the power, even when he gets out of position at times which is gonna happen,” O’Connell continued. “It’s gonna happen throughout the pass game, it happens in the run game phase. They don’t just stay exactly where you think they’re going to be all the time. And he was able to show that in the preseason.”
“Joe was one of those guys that probably — I don’t always tell you guys this, but he probably made the team a heck of a lot earlier than the cutdown day. At least in my mind, just with what you could see in the present with the player, but where we think he can go in the future. And he’s done nothing but enhance a lot of those opinions with his time leading up to now, and he’s going to get an opportunity to show us where he’s at on Sunday.”
It’s not a great sign when your head coach is already talking about how you’ll be out of position a lot, but O’Connell clearly has faith in Huber’s abilities and resilience. The Vikings will need him to step up in a big way against a ferocious Browns front.
The Minnesota Vikings Need to Withstand These Injuries
It’s not a good time for the Vikings to be beat-up. After the Browns game on Sunday, they play the Eagles, Chargers, Lions, Ravens, Bears, Packers, Seahawks, Commanders, Cowboys, Giants, Lions, and Packers the rest of the way.
That is a brutal, brutal schedule. There is no reprieve to be found at all. This is a talented team, but they need to find a way to weather these injuries and come out the other side with a respectable record — or else their playoff push will be over before it begins.
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