Andrew Van Ginkel, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings showed a serious level of resolve in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Trailing by 11 in the third quarter, they ripped off 21 unanswered points and held on to win 27-24.
That performance by J.J. McCarthy was the stuff of legend. He stepped in and showed maturity well beyond his years. It’s something that head coach Kevin O’Connell will look to parlay into more success this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons.
Unfortunately the win also came with some serious injury issues. The update on Wednesday was less than great.
Multiple Vikings in danger of missing additional time
Harrison Smith practiced last week but didn’t have enough time to be active after missing practices due to an undisclosed illness. Christian Darrisaw has been trending positively for weeks, but was held out of action too. Both of them continue to work back, but the injured list gained a litany of talent after Monday’s victory.
Kevin O’Connell says both Blake Cashman & Ty Chandler will miss some time after in-game injuries Monday.
Andrew Van Ginkel & Jeff Okudah are in concussion protocol and will be evaluated throughout the week.
Harrison Smith, Christian Darrisaw will continue ramping up work.
— emily leiker (@emleiker) September 10, 2025
We knew that Cashman was injured during the game. He was in pursuit of Caleb Williams and appeared to come up lame. He then went to the medical tent and remained out of action the rest of the way. It sounds like the injury is a substantial one, and that’s tough for a guy who has missed so much time over his career.
Have never seen this before! With every second at a premium for the trailing #Bears, check out #Vikings returner Ty Chandler look toward his sideline – AFTER he caught the football – and find HC Kevin O’Connell signaling for him not to take a knee, but rather to take the ball out… pic.twitter.com/OJPVgHfoM6
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 9, 2025
Chandler’s injury seems to be new. He made an incredible move by returning a kick late to waste additional time off the clock. Apparently though, an injury took place during the game and will keep him off the field for a while.
Jeff Okudah was carted to the locker room after the game. That was suggested to be the result of a potential concussion. He remains in the protocol, and Minnesota’s non-existent cornerback depth would drop to just three players if he is unable to go.
Related: JJ McCarthy Rewarded for Incredible Week One Performance
Joining Okudah in the concussion protocol is Andrew Van Ginkel. He played 61-of-67 defensive snaps on Monday night and was the fifth-highest graded defender. He nearly had a pick-six on a tipped pass and was flying everywhere. Where or when he sustained a possible concussion is uncertain, and it’s scary that he is unexpectedly going through testing.
Minnesota has a short week having played Monday night, and they’ll need to hope that some of these players return to practice as the week goes on.
The return of both Harrison Smith and Christian Darrisaw has to be looming. The Vikings bringing them back at home for Week 2 makes a good deal of sense. The prognosis for Van Ginkel and Okudah could force some uncertain contributors to step up in a big way.
Mentioned in this article: Andrew Van Ginkel Blake Cashman Christian Darrisaw Harrison Smith Jeff Okudah ty chandler More About:Minnesota Vikings