Fabian Moreau and Marvin Harrison Jr.
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The Vikings elevated Fabian Moreau and Gabe Murphy to their active roster for their Week 2 action
The Minnesota Vikings are riding high as they head into their Week 2 clash with the Atlanta Falcons. In Week 1, they pulled off a thrilling rally against the Chicago Bears, scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to earn a 27-24 victory over their NFC North rival.
However, that win came at a cost, as several key players, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, picked up injuries that will force them to miss some time. As a result, Minnesota needs some players to come in and pick up the slack, and on Saturday, that led to them elevating a pair of players from their practice squad for their second game of the season.
Vikings Elevate Fabian Moreau, Gabe Murphy to Active Roster
The Vikings are 1-0, but they are also a bit banged up. Three key players in Christian Darrisaw, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Jeff Okudah have been ruled out for this game, with Ty Chandler and Blake Cashman also being placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. Beyond that, star safety Harrison Smith is also questionable for this game with an illness.
With that in mind, Minnesota has elevated cornerback Fabian Moreau and linebacker Gabe Murphy to help them out in Week 2. A former third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Moreau has a wealth of starting experience and familiarity with the Vikings’ defense after spending the 2024 campaign with them. In Okudah’s absence, he figures to get some work in obvious passing downs against the Falcons.
Murphy will likely help fill the void of Van Ginkel at the linebacker position. An undrafted free agent from 2024, Murphy has only played in two NFL games so far, so he likely will be utilized as a depth option on Sunday for Minnesota. If he’s needed in a pinch, though, he could have an opportunity to make an impression on the team after spending the last year or so developing behind the scenes.
“The Vikings have elevated OLB Gabe Murphy and CB Fabian Moreau to the active roster for tomorrow night’s game,” the team announced in a post on X on Saturday afternoon.
Vikings Hoping to Earn Second Straight Victory in Week 2
J.J. McCarthy
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 08: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates after defeating the Chicago Bears 27-24 at Soldier Field on September 08, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
The Vikings weren’t perfect in Week 1, but at the end of the day, they got the win, which is all that matters. However, they have some issues they have been working on cleaning up throughout the week, with the hope that it will lead to a more complete performance in Week 2 against the Falcons.
Atlanta will be motivated to earn its first win of the season after coming up just short in its season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it may be playing a shorthanded Minnesota team at the perfect time. For the second straight week, the Vikings will be playing on primetime, as they will take on the Falcons on Sunday Night Football, with kickoff scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.