Kevin O'Connell, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
If you’re looking for direct and straightforward answers from leaders in Minnesota sports, the Vikings and Twins probably aren’t for you. No one loves to serve up word salad more than Twins president Derek Falvey, and Kevin O’Connell is seemingly jealous now following in his footsteps.
It’s unfortunate that O’Connell has had to discuss so many injuries this year for Minnesota, but he’s gotten to the point where putting him in front of a podium has no purpose. Asked about Andrew Van Ginkel on Friday, there was a minute of talking while nothing was said.
Don’t expect Andrew Van Ginkel soon for MN Vikings
After signing an extension this offseason, coming off a career-year, Andrew Van Ginkel has followed things up with a stinker. He has played in just two games, and his only start of the season was in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Still dealing with an ominous neck injury, he’s seemingly no closer to returning despite working out in a limited capacity.
Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Andrew Van Ginkel's availability pic.twitter.com/ifnnSMntft
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 24, 2025
“I think he’s a guy that’s been able to continuously get the limited work in on the practice field to try and continue to stay sharp as he tries to get back into a place to be available to us. I’m encouraged by the fact that we’ve got a little bit more time this week and how Gink can possibly turn over. When he’s available, and we can get him back out there, he’s one of those guys that is a critical part of how we want to play defense. When we can make that happen, and when that happens, will be a huge boost for us.
Don’t really have an update right now on that for next week in any kind of concrete way. My hope is that we get to see Gink sooner rather than later for sure.”
Kevin O’Connell
Asked how soon Andrew Van Ginkel is to returning for the Vikings, Minnesota’s head coach went into a 107-word diatribe that categorically answered nothing. He then followed up with a final statement to say he has no concrete update and effectively has no idea.
It’s one thing for that to be the case, and it’s fine. Danielle Hunter missed the entire 2020 season with a neck injury, and Darren “Doogie” Wolfon’s report earlier this month didn’t sound great. If O’Connell is attempting to shroud availability from the Detroit Lions that’s one thing, but he talks a lot to say nothing.
The Vikings could certainly use Van Ginkel back in the lineup. Despite just two games of action, he has two sacks. That’s just one shy of the team lead (Jalen Redmond – 3.0) and the same amount Jonathan Greenard has in seven games.
Minnesota’s front seven was supposed to be elite and make up for a secondary that was questionable at best. Early it was the Vikings pass defense that kept them in games, but they have faded in the last two contests and will likely be exposed the rest of the way.
Van Ginkel signed a $23 million extension this offseason, and has a $19.4 million cap hit in 2026.
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