Minnesota Vikings running back, Ty Chandler, running the ball against the San Francisco 49ers on September 15, 2024.
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Minnesota Vikings running back, Ty Chandler, running the ball against the San Francisco 49ers on September 15, 2024.
The Minnesota Vikings running back depth just took a serious hit.
After sustaining a knee injury in the season opener against the Chicago Bears, fourth-year running back Ty Chandler was placed on the injured reserve list on Thursday, September 11.
While Chandler did not take a carry in the opener, he is a vital depth piece with 663 yards rushing, three touchdowns and 38 games played in his career. He is credited with a heads-up play to look toward head coach Kevin O’Connell on the Bears’ final kickoff return. O’Connell gave Chandler the signal to take the ball out of the end zone, ultimately draining enough clock to pass the two-minute warning and help the Vikings ice the game.
He did so while playing through the injury.
“It is something that just speaks to Ty Chandler, not only finishing the game, but being one of the last people to touch the football there on that last kick return, when he brought it out to make sure we ate up that two-minute warning,” O’Connell said on Wednesday. “Ty is so tough. He’s one of those people that you’re not surprised when you kind of hear about it in detail the next day of like, this could be something that causes him to miss a little bit of time. That’s how tough he is, and he wasn’t coming off the field in any capacity. So, we’ll get him cleaned up and healthy, and everything will be good.”
Starting inside linebacker Blake Cashman was also placed on injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 1. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jeff Okudah remain in concussion protocol and are at risk of missing a Week 2 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Vikings Undrafted Rookie Gets Chance After Chandler Injury
The Vikings running back room has little experience on the roster after Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
The duo proved efficient in their timeshare at Soldier Field and figures to dominate the work in the backfield.
However, if either were to go down, Minnesota would hitch its hopes to 2024 undrafted rookie Zavier Scott, who spent last season on the practice squad.
Scott shined during the preseason enough to garner a roster spot and force the Vikings to carry four backs into the regular season.
Chandler joins C.J. Ham on the injured reserve list, which could lead to some tough decisions when both backs are ready to return to the 53-man roster.
In the meantime, Scott is likely next in line to handle kickoff returns in Chandler’s absence.
Ty Chandler’s Prove-It Year Derailed With Injury
Chandler’s injury is unfortunate for the fourth-year back who is in the final year of his rookie contract.
Considered a trade chip entering the season, Chandler’s injury will keep him from asserting his value for a role before the deadline.
There also won’t be much room for him to showcase his talents on offense with the Mason-Jones tandem taking up all the carries.
Hopefully, Chandler can return quickly and contribute on special teams to help the Vikings, but his role with the team beyond this season remains questionable.