Minnesota Vikings: News, Scores, Stats, Headlines, Injury Updates & More

Vikings add P Johnny Hekker, RB Jaret Patterson to practice squad

With punter Brett Thorson set to miss some time with a hamstring injury, the Vikings have added a veteran punter to their practice squad.

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Rotoworld Player News

Jaret Patterson

MIN Running Back #32

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Vikings signed RB Jaret Patterson to their practice squad.

It was foreshadowed a bit that the Vikings would make some sort of transaction in this area after Aaron Jones took a huge workload in Week 2. We’re not sure if Patterson will instantly be up from the practice squad in Week 3, but he’s got enough NFL experience to be able to help if called upon.
Aaron Jones

MIN Running Back #33

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Aaron Jones was “pretty sore” after Minnesota’s Week 2 win against the Bears.

He also said he will “be talking about options at running back.” The subtext here is that Jones can’t handle 23-carry workloads in his age-32 season. DeeJay Dallas and Demond Claiborne are their backups on the roster with Jordan Mason on injured reserve. Dallas was just signed earlier this month. Claiborne is “not yet ready to carry the load” per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. We expect reporting to reveal the second main member of this committee at some point this week, and there’s a chance that said player is in the flex conversation against the Buccaneers in Week 3.
Jauan Jennings

MIN Wide Receiver #14

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Jauan Jennings (personal) is expected to return for Week 3.

Jennings was targeted just once in Week 1. It could be argued that we’re not sure what his target count would look like in a normal Vikings game given how quickly Kyler Murray got hurt, but there’s never been a normal Vikings game anyway. Jennings is best monitored from the waiver wire.
Kyler Murray

MIN Quarterback #1

The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reports Kyler Murray has cleared concussion protocol and will start in Week 3 against the Buccaneers.

The 2-0 Vikings will hopefully get their first full look at Murray, who exited in Week 1 after just 11 snaps. Murray will face a Buccaneers defense that ranks 24th in points allowed through the first two weeks and has allowed the 11th-most passing yards and the 10th-highest net yards per pass attempt. Murray has a nice supporting cast to work with and brings plenty of rushing upside, but fantasy managers shouldn’t view him as anything more than a mid-QB2 until we see how he functions in his first full game or two with the team.
T.J. Hockenson

MIN Tight End #87

T.J. Hockenson caught 3-of-4 targets for 29 yards in the Vikings’ Week 2 win over the Bears.

Hockenson more or less repeated his Week 1 statline, only this time on far less passing volume for the Vikings’ offense. Carson Wentz attempted just 20 throws as the Vikes went “survive and advance” mode in weather-addled Chicago. With Kyler Murray expected to return from his concussion in Week 3 in Tampa, perhaps Hockenson can post a higher-end TE2 statline.
Jordan Addison

MIN Wide Receiver #3

Jordan Addison caught 2-of-5 targets for 21 yards in the Vikings’ Week 2 win over the Bears.

It’s another disappointing statline for a wideout held without a catch in Week 1, though it was yet another game where we didn’t get to see the Vikings’ “real” offense. With Kyler Murray out with a concussion, Carson Wentz was fed to the wolves at rainy Soldier Field. Murray is expected back for Week 3 in Tampa, and with him, hopefully finally a useable statline for the Vikes’ talented No. 2 receiver.
Justin Jefferson

MIN Wide Receiver #18

Justin Jefferson caught 3-of-6 targets for 55 yards in the Vikings’ Week 2 win over the Bears.

Jefferson caught a 30-yard pass against tight coverage on just the second play of the game, but the proceedings then quickly became a contest of wills on a rainy September day in Chicago. Carson Wentz completed all of 11 passes, though Jefferson was his leading receiver, as well as most targeted. With Kyler Murray (concussion) expected to return for Week 3 against the Bucs’ shaky defense, we will hopefully get our first extended look at the Vikings’ “real” offense.
Carson Wentz

MIN Quarterback #11

Carson Wentz completed 11-of-20 passes for 143 scoreless yards in the Vikings’ 9-3, Week 2 victory over the Bears.

Surprisingly for Wentz, he rushed only three times for six yards. Unsurprisingly, he took three sacks and a few other big hits. It was no matter, as Wentz more than did his job as he avoided turnovers so the Vikings could grind out a rainy victory in the Windy City. With Kyler Murray (concussion) expected back for Week 3 in Tampa Bay, Wentz can be returned to the waiver wire in superflex leagues.
Aaron Jones

MIN Running Back #33

Aaron Jones rushed 23 times for 105 yards in the Vikings’ Week 2 win over the Bears.

Jones was not targeted in the passing game. Jones was also announced with a knee injury in the second half, but played through the issue to earn his first 100-yard rushing effort since 2024. It was a much, much needed outing with Jordan Mason on injured reserve and the Vikings trying to grind out a rainy victory in Chicago. It’s possible Jones could need further testing this week, but the fact that he finished the game obviously suggests he will be on the right side of questionable for Week 3 against the Bucs. With neither DeeJay Dallas nor Demond Claiborne making an impact vs. the Bears, Jones will be a safe RB2 if he can get out there next Sunday.
Kyler Murray

MIN Quarterback #1

Vikings declared QB Kyler Murray, WR, Jauan Jennings, CB Zemaiah Vaughn, S Jakobe Thomas, C Nick Samac, OT Caleb Tiernan and DL Elijah Williams inactive for Week 2 against the Bears.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning Murray is “on track” to return in Week 3 against the Bucs. Jennings, who is out for non-football reasons, has a less clear return timeline.