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Minnesota Vikings News & Rumors

Vikings Designate LB Blake Cashman For Return From IR

October 13th, 2025 at 2:24pm CST by Adam La Rose

Blake Cashman has been out since Week 1, but he could be back in the fold for the Vikings soon. The veteran linebacker returned to practice today, per a team announcement.

Cashman suffered a hamstring injury during Minnesota’s season debut, and it quickly became clear he was in line to miss multiple weeks. The team’s decision to move him to injured reserve came as no surprise as a result, and it ensured an absence of at least one month. A return in time for Week 7 could now be in store, however.

Today’s move will open Cashman’s 21-day practice window. Minnesota must activate him within that span to avoid having Cashman revert to season-ending IR. Provided things go as planned over the coming days, the 29-year-old could be back in place as early as Sunday, something which would be welcomed by the team.

Cashman operated as a full-time starter last season, his debut campaign with his hometown team. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native set a new career high in tackles (112) and sacks (4.5) along the way, illustrating his importance to the team’s defense. A first-team role should again be in store for Cashman once he is activated.

The former fifth-rounder is under contract for next season, but none of his scheduled base salary for 2026 ($6.9MM) is guaranteed. As such, managing to remain healthy the rest of the way will be key for Cashman as he looks to reprise his role from 2024 as a productive contributor and in doing so help his chances of remaining in Minnesota for at least one more year. DC Brian Flores‘ unit ranks fifth in points allowed, and adding Cashman will help it remain among the league’s best through the rest of the campaign.

The Vikings have already used one IR activation on fullback C.J. Ham, and the decision to use the designated for return option on pass rusher Tyler Batty during cutdowns accounts for another. Minnesota will be down to five activations once Cashman is back in the fold.

Eagles DE Za’Darius Smith Retires

October 13th, 2025 at 11:26am CST by Adam La Rose

Za’Darius Smith has taken part in five of the Eagles’ six games this season, but his time with Philadelphia is abruptly coming to an end. The veteran pass rush announced on Instagram Monday that he is retiring.

“Who would’ve thought that a kid from Greenville, Alabama, with just one year of high school football experience, would go on to play professional football in the NFL for 11 incredible years,” Smith’s announcement reads in part. “Football has transformed my life and my family’s lives forever – and for that, I’m forever grateful.”

Smith has served as a starter for much of his career, and he notched four sacks upon arriving via trade in Detroit last season. In spite of that, the three-time Pro Bowler remained unsigned through training camp. One day after opening the campaign, the Eagles signed Smith to a one-year deal. He has played in all five of the team’s games since then, logging a 38% snap share.

Today’s announcement comes as quite the surprise as a result, as Smith was in position to continue handling a rotational role with his latest team. Instead, his NFL career has come to an end. This decision is a personal one and not tied to his playing time in Philadelphia, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Nevertheless, an Eagles team which entered the campaign with questions about pass rush production will be shorthanded moving forward. This news could steer the team toward a trade for an edge rusher in the near future.

Smith entered the league as a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2015. He flashed potential with 5.5 sacks as a rookie, and after developing into a regular on defense posted 8.5 sacks in the final year of his rookie contract. That resulted in a big-ticket free agent deal with the Packers, the first of three NFC North teams Smith wound up playing for in his career.

Following his 2022 release from Green Bay, Smith seemed to have a Ravens reunion lined up. In the end, however, he signed with the Vikings. That did not lead to a lengthy tenure in Minnesota, as the Kentucky alum was traded to the Browns after one season. Smith was limited to just one game in 2021, but across his healthy campaigns with Green Bay and Minnesota he amassed 36 sacks. Expectations remained high for continued production with the Browns.

Smith was unable to establish himself as a long-term complement to Myles Garrett with a downturn in sack totals during his one full Cleveland campaign. After Aidan Hutchinson suffered a season-ending injury last year, Smith was named as a candidate to be dealt to the Lions. That took place as expected, and during this past offseason Smith remained in contact with Detroit even after being released in a cost-shedding move.

With no deal being worked out on that front, though, Smith eventually took a pact with the Eagles. The defending Super Bowl champions have lost two straight but they sit at 4-2 on the year and could again find themselves in contention for a deep postseason run in 2025. The team’s plans ahead of the deadline could now include the pursuit of a Smith replacement.

Smith will now turn his attention to his post-playing days at the age of 33. He exits the NFL with 154 combined regular and postseason appearances and nearly $91MM in career earnings.

Traded Draft Picks For 2026

October 8th, 2025 at 8:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Many months remain before teams know where they are picking in the 2026 draft, but many clubs have made moves to acquire 2026 draft capital. Headlined by the Browns, Rams and Cowboys’ efforts, here are the 2026 picks to have changed hands thus far. When more deals involving picks are made (or conditions on moves already completed become known), that information will be added.

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

Round 7

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/7/25

October 7th, 2025 at 7:58pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s practice squad moves in the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Las Vegas Raiders

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy Returns To Practice; Carson Wentz Dealing With Shoulder Injury

October 7th, 2025 at 9:43am CST by Adam La Rose

The Vikings are currently on their bye after two straight overseas games. It remains to be seen what their quarterback situation will be for Week 7, but J.J. McCarthy is making strides toward a return.

Minnesota’s 2025 starter took part in practice Monday. That development came after McCarthy was sidelined through each of the past three weeks due to a high ankle sprain. The Vikings have not rushed the 2024 first-rounder back onto the field, relying on Wentz to handle starting duties in Week 3 as well as both of their international contests. With McCarthy participating in practice, though, he could be in line to return in time for Week 7.

“J.J. got some work today, and he’ll get some work the rest of the week,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said (via Emily Leiker of the Minnesota Star Tribune). “We’ll pick it up officially next week, but I’m encouraged about where he’s at right now.”

McCarthy missed his entire rookie campaign while recovering from meniscus surgery, but he was the Vikings’ unquestioned QB1 entering this season. His first action atop the depth chart did not go according to plan, aside from a strong fourth quarter in Week 1. That no doubt played a role in O’Connell declining to conclusively state McCarthy will reprise his role as starter once he is fully healed. By next week, though, Wentz may not be in position to play even if that were to be the team’s presence.

Wentz injured his left (that is, non-throwing) shoulder during Minnesota’s comeback win against the Browns on Sunday. O’Connell noted the 32-year-old was “pretty sore” upon returning from London. The coming days will be key in evaluating his status for Week 7. It will be interesting to see how the Vikings proceed at the quarterback spot if both McCarthy and Wentz are available by that point.

Minnesota sits at 3-2 on the year and a stable run of play from the quarterback spot will be key in determining if another playoff berth proves to be attainable. The team’s long-term plans will of course depend largely on McCarthy’s development, a process which could resume as early as Week 7 against the Eagles.

Vikings Place C Ryan Kelly On IR; J.J. McCarthy Uncertain For Week 7

October 4th, 2025 at 9:59pm CST by Ely Allen

The Vikings continue to be burdened with injuries in 2025. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network was the first to report today that Vikings center Ryan Kelly will be placed on injured reserve. The team’s official announcement shows that Minnesota will be getting a body back from IR, though, as it activates fullback C.J. Ham.

Kelly is in his first season with the Vikings after spending the first nine years of his career with the Colts. The four-time Pro Bowler will miss the next four games after suffering his second concussion in three weeks. Kelly is no stranger to injuries; he’s only ever played in every game of the regular season three times in his career, most recently missing seven games last year.

Surgery for a broken bone in his Kelly’s foot sidelined him for the first four games of his second year in the league, and after he returned for seven games, a concussion sidelined him for the remainder of that year. Since then, recurrent concussions and neck injuries saw him frequent the sideline for a couple weeks each year. Last season, he added a knee injury to his list of ailments, causing a stay on IR as he recovered from surgery.

Minnesota decided to look past his extensive injury history when signing him because Kelly has routinely performed as one of the better, more consistent centers in the league. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Kelly was playing some of the best football of his career for the Vikings this season before landing on the injured list.

Kelly becomes the third offensive lineman, the sixth offensive player, and the eighth overall player to land on IR from the Vikings’ roster. To make matter worse, starting right tackle Brian O’Neill, starting left guard Donovan Jackson, and backup center Michael Jurgens have all been ruled out for this weekend on the team’s injury report, leaving only left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right guard Will Fries as the last starters standing in front of backup quarterback Carson Wentz, who is starting with J.J. McCarthy ruled out, as well.

Blake Brandel, who started every game for Minnesota at left guard last year, filled in for Jackson last week, but the team’s depth chart has him listed as the third option at center behind Kelly and Jurgens. Justin Skule is listed as the primary backup for both tackle spots, and Joe Huber and Walter Rouse were the only other remaining healthy backups on the 53-man roster before today’s transactions.

The Vikings waived quarterback Desmond Ridder in order to sign practice squad rookie offensive lineman Vershon Lee to the 53-man roster. Lee adds incredible versatility to the offensive line after starting 40 games at three different positions in college at South Carolina — 18 at center, 16 at left guard, and six at right tackle. He finished his career as a center and could be an option if the team wants to keep Brandel at left guard.

The team also used one of its two standard gameday practice squad elevations to call up guard Henry Byrd, who appeared in his first career game earlier this season after going undrafted in 2023. The other elevation was utilized to call up running back Cam Akers, as usual starter Aaron Jones is one of the six offensive players on IR.

The team cutting Ridder comes as a bit of a surprise considering some of the rumors surrounding McCarthy this weekend. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, sources have relayed that “McCarthy isn’t healthy, and while the target return has been Week 7 against the Eagles, it could still be longer.” This follows rumors that Minnesota may be using the injury to keep McCarthy off the field for a bit after they watched him struggle more than expected in his first two NFL games, arguing that the extra time could help him prepare a bit more for a return to play.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell has been extremely clear about the conditions for McCarthy’s return, though, saying that the second-year passer “won’t play until he’s had a full week of practice.” Since exiting Week 2 with an injury, he hasn’t yet practiced in any capacity. Still, O’Connell asserts that once his young quarterback is healthy, he’ll return to his starting role. With McCarthy still out and Ridder off the team, undrafted rookie quarterback Max Brosmer stands as the only remaining quarterback on the roster to back up Wentz.

Despite a lot of tough news, the Vikings will see Ham return to the field. The two-time Pro Bowl fullback missed the start of the season with a knee injury. He’ll return to an offensive backfield that looks a bit different without the starting quarterback and running back.

Vikings Open Practice Windows For LB Tyler Batty, FB C.J. Ham

October 1st, 2025 at 1:35pm CST by Connor Byrne

The Vikings announced that they have officially opened the 21-day practice window for outside linebacker Tyler Batty and fullback C.J. Ham. Both players opened the season on injured reserve, and the Vikings will now have three weeks to activate them.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell indicated either could come back as early as this Sunday’s game in London against the Browns. Both Batty and Ham, because they were given return designations in August, already count toward Minnesota’s eight regular-season activations.

Batty, an undrafted rookie from BYU, suffered a right knee injury in the Vikings’ preseason finale against the Titans on Aug. 22. A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2024, Batty played five seasons at BYU and tallied 16.5 sacks over 53 games. The 6-foot-5, 261-pounder appeared in 13 contests last season and totaled 59 tackles (seven for loss), two interceptions and 1.5 sacks.

If Batty debuts this week, he’ll give the Vikings some depth on the outside behind Dallas Turner, who’s filling in for the injured Andrew Van Ginkel. After missing the Vikings’ loss to the Steelers last week with a neck injury, Van Ginkel is likely to sit out again on Sunday.

Ham, 32, also missed the team’s first four games with a knee issue. Now a ninth-year Viking, Ham is the team’s second-longest-tenured player behind safety Harrison Smith. While Ham only received seven touches last year (two carries, five catches), he played over 23 percent of offensive snaps and about 63 percent on special teams. The 32-year-old helped pave the way for an 1,100-yard season from running back Aaron Jones.

With Jones on IR since mid-September with a hamstring injury, Jordan Mason has taken over as the Vikings’ starting RB. The former 49er has racked up 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 56 carries – good for an average of 4.8 per rush.

J.J. McCarthy Could Practice This Week; Vikings RT Brian O’Neill Sprains MCL

September 30th, 2025 at 9:33pm CST by Connor Byrne

After missing back-to-back games, Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy appears to be making progress in his recovery from a high ankle sprain. The Vikings are hopeful that the second-year man will log some practice time this week, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Early last week, O’Connell emphasized the importance of McCarthy receiving an ample amount of practice work before he regains his role as the team’s starter. Having invested the 10th overall pick in 2024 on McCarthy, who didn’t play at all as a rookie after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during the preseason, the Vikings are taking a careful approach with the former Michigan Wolverine.

Minnesota has gone 1-1 with McCarthy fill-in Carson Wentz, a late-August addition who has amassed 96 starts since the Eagles chose him second overall in the 2016 draft. Now a 32-year-old journeyman, Wentz could remain at the helm for the second leg of the Vikings’ European tour this week. Wentz has completed 44 of 66 passes for 523 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions thus far. He and the Vikings dropped a 24-21 decision to the Steelers in Dublin in Week 4, falling to 2-2 on the season.

The Vikings are now gearing up to take on the 1-3 Browns on Sunday in London on Sunday. If McCarthy isn’t under center, a bye after the Cleveland game could set him up to return for a Week 7 showdown with the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles.

McCarthy, 22, has struggled early on, though. He has connected on 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards, two scores, and three picks. McCarthy looked good during a second-half comeback against the Bears in Week 1, but he didn’t fare well early in the game and turned in a rough showing in a loss to the Falcons in Week 2. With that in mind, if Wentz plays this week, he could make an argument to retain the starting job with an impressive performance against Cleveland.

Regardless of who’s at QB for Minnesota, he won’t have right tackle Brian O’Neill as a protector on Sunday. O’Connell announced that O’Neill is week-to-week with an MCL sprain, though the upper-crust RT will not require surgery or go on IR.

A career-long Viking since entering the league as a second-rounder in 2018, the 30-year-old has picked up 110 starts and two Pro Bowl nods. O’Neill represents a substantial loss for the Vikings, who are also without left guard Donovan Jackson after he underwent wrist surgery last week. Worsening matters, Minnesota saw center Ryan Kelly suffer a concussion in its loss to Pittsburgh, helping the Steelers tee off on Wentz for six sacks.

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