Getty
Nick Vannett celebrates with DK Metcalf during a 2019 Seahawks game.
The Minnesota Vikings lost two players to injured reserve after a Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears, prompting some additions to the active roster ahead of a primetime matchup with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.
After placing starting outside linebacker Blake Cashman and backup running back Ty Chandler on the injured reserve list on Thursday, the Vikings signed veteran tight end Nick Vannett and wide receiver Tim Jones to the active roster, both of whom were on the practice squad.
The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves
– Placed LB Blake Cashman and RB Ty Chandler on IR
– Signed WR Tim Jones and TE Nick Vannett to the active roster
– Signed CB Tyrek Funderburk and LB Sione Takitaki to the practice squad pic.twitter.com/9fHul4ugqP
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 11, 2025
Vannett is a 10-year veteran with 108 catches, 1,012 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. Last season, Vannett, 31, tallied 17 receptions for 135 yards and three touchdowns for the Tennessee Titans. He played 399 offensive snaps, the most since his age-26 season in 2019.
Vannett slots as a backup behind T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver, which is still an important role in the offense. Last week, rookie tight end Ben Yurosek played 10 offensive snaps against the Bears. He posted a 47.8 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade.
It remains to be seen how Vannett will figure into the Falcons game for Minnesota and if he will take reps from Yurosek.
Jones played three offensive snaps in last week’s game as the next receiver up after Justin Jefferson, Jalen Nailor and Adam Thielen.
Blake Cashman’s Timeline to Return for Vikings
Blake Cashman, Minnesota Vikings
GettyBlake Cashman #51 of the Minnesota Vikings reacts after making a play against the New York Jets.
Cashman suffered a hamstring injury late in the third quarter of the season-opening win over the Bears on September 8.
Under league rules, players moved to the injured reserve list during the season must remain on the list for the next four games before they can be activated to the 53-man roster.
After Sunday’s primetime matchup against Atlanta, the Vikings face the Cincinnati Bengals before back-to-back international games in Dublin, Ireland and London, England before a Week 6 bye.
Cashman is eligible to return to the active roster after Week 5, and the Vikings have an opportunity to get him some extra ramp-up time if they do make the move during the bye week.
His first eligible game to return will be October 19 against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Vikings’ Final Falcons Injury Report is Concerning
Cashman and Chandler aren’t the only two players who won’t be on the field on Sunday night.
Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw was also ruled out as his return from an ACL tear is pushed back. Pro Bowl edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel and cornerback Jeff Okudah are in concussion protocol and ruled out early on Friday before the game.
Harrison Smith remains questionable as he returns from an illness that made him miss almost a month of training camp. The wait for Smith’s debut for the Vikings hinges on his ramp-up physically, per several team reports.
C.J. Ham and rookie outside linebacker Tyler Batty are also players on injured reserve who are expected to return at some point this season.
The Vikings are also without Jordan Addison, who is serving a three-game suspension to begin the year.
In totality, Minnesota is seriously shorthanded entering whdat is expected to be a close matchup with the Falcons.
Despite the absence of talented players, the Vikings are still favored by 3.5 points, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.