Andrew

Van Ginkel

Van Ginkel is active for the first time since Week 3 and only the second time since the opener. Inactive for the Vikes are CB Jeff Okudah, FB C.J. Ham, LB Austin Keys, OT Walter Rouse, TE Josh Oliver, TE Ben Sims and DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said he “anticipates” having Van Ginkel on Sunday. The talented 30-year-old edge player has missed the last four games with a neck injury, but is finally practicing and could provide the Vikings defense with a boost in a tough matchup against Detroit.

The Vikings listed Darrisaw as a non-participant on Wednesday, briefly causing a scare, but the Vikings’ left tackle evidently feels good enough to play after going through a pre-game workout. Starting QB Carson Wentz will, unfortunately, be without RT Brian O’Neill (knee), who logged just one limited practice session this week. The Vikings also declared OLB Chaz Chambliss, DT Elijah Williams, FB C.J. Ham, LB Andrew Van Ginkel and QB J.J. McCarthy (emergency 3rd QB) inactive for Week 8 against the Chargers.

Van Ginkel was able to generate a little positive progress off the bye, getting in some limited practice sessions after missing Week 4 and Week 5. It’s one step closer to a return, perhaps in Week 8. Dallas Turner figures to remain more involved with Van Ginkel out.

Van Ginkel suffered his neck injury in Week 2 and hasn’t been heard from since. The veteran linebacker has yet to return to the practice field, but will have a Week 6 bye before setting his sights on Week 7 against the Eagles. The Vikings’ decision not to place him on injured reserve suggests they believe he could return after the bye, but the proof will be in his practice status ahead of Week 7.

It would appear to be implicit in that statement that will neither will play in Week 5 against the Browns, though it wasn’t explicitly said. O’Connell said IR is not a consideration for O’Neill and that the team is “evaluating every avenue and all options to get” Van Ginkel “100%.” Reading between the lines, it seems like an IR stint is still in play for Van Ginkel.

Van Ginkel was a DNP all week. The veteran linebacker suffered a neck injury in Week 2 against the Bengals and will now miss a second-straight game with the injury. The Vikings also ruled out J.J. McCarthy (ankle) ahead of the weekend, but the second-year quarterback isn’t expected to return until close to Week 7, so this was always expected.

Journeyman QB Carson Wentz starts in McCarthy’s stead. He is a boom-bust QB2 option against a soft Bengals defense. Vikings C Ryan Kelly and backup LT Justin Skule both suffered concussions in Week 2. Neither player cleared the protocol. On the plus side, LT Christian Darrisaw (knee), S Harrison Smith (illness) and LB Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) are questionable to play in Week 3 against the Bengals.

Darrisaw’s participation status on Friday is not yet known but he did manage to practice in full on Wednesday before being downgraded to limited on Thursday. He could return in Week 3. The Vikings also ruled out LB Andrew Van Ginkel and CB Jeff Okudah. Vikings S Harrison Smith (illness) is questionable to play against the Falcons.

O’Connell said S Harrison Smith (illness) will join Darrisaw in the ramp-up process. Smith has been dealing with some sort of health issue since late August and should not be considered a lock to suit up in Week 2. Darrisaw continues to rehab his ACL and MCL injuries from last year. Vikings LB Blake Cashman and RB Ty Chandler “will miss some time” after suffering injuries in Week 1. Both LB Andrew Van Ginkel and CB Jeff Okudah are in the concussion protocol.