The Minnesota Vikings‘ final injury report left little to question; they’ll be shorthanded against the Atlanta Falcons on “Sunday Night Football.”
Left battered on a short week following Monday night’s comeback victory over the Chicago Bears, the Vikings ruled out cornerback Jeff Okudah and Pro Bowl outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who are both in concussion protocol.
Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) was also ruled out in a curious move. Last week, Darrisaw was questionable heading into Monday night, but the Vikings seem not to be taking any chances by ruling him out early in Week 2.
Safety Harrison Smith and linebacker Austin Keys are listed as questionable heading into the weekend.
On top of those injury designations, the Vikings also placed running back Ty Chandler (knee) and starting inside linebacker Blake Cashman (hamstring) on injured reserve on Thursday. They will not be available to return to the active roster until after the Week 6 bye.
They join fullback C.J. Ham and rookie outside linebacker Tyler Batty as players on injured reserve who can return this season.
Vikings-Falcons Has the Makings of a Trap Game
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy.
There are serious grounds for a trap game when the Falcons visit for a primetime matchup.
The Vikings are coming off an emotional high. It’s a short week. J.J. McCarthy just welcomed a baby to the family. And there are mounting injuries in Minnesota.
Furthermore, it’s the second standalone primetime game in as many weeks for the Vikings.
Regardless, oddsmakers seem unfazed by Minnesota’s misfortunes.
DraftKings Sportsbook opened with the Vikings as a 3.5-point favorite, which has gone unchanged as of Friday night.
Dallas Turner’s Prime Opportunity to Prove Himself With Vikings
GettyPass rusher Dallas Turner of the Minnesota Vikings has a chance to prove his worth in what’s anticipated to be his first NFL start against the Falcons in Week 2 of the 2025 season.
The pressure is off McCarthy after he finally made his NFL debut, shifting the attention to second-year linebacker Dallas Turner.
Selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, Turner was an understudy to the Pro Bowl duo of Jonathan Greenard and Van Ginkel, playing in a limited rotational role as a rookie.
On Monday, Turner played 29 of 67 defensive snaps. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores deployed all three edge rushers at times, but he still felt that Turner should have played more, he said.
Turner has a chance with Van Ginkel out this week.
“Very high,” Flores said of his confidence in Turner. “I thought he played very well last week. When I looked back and saw the snap counts, I was — not miffed — but I thought he played more and thought we should’ve got him in more. … He’s taken a lot of steps forward.”
Head coach Kevin O’Connell echoed Flores’ sentiments.
“The jump that he is currently experiencing and will continue to experience will be highlighted clearly with Gink being out,” O’Connell said of Turner. “But we have viewed it from Day 1 as three potential starters.”
Last season, Turner tallied 20 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks and one interception.
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