Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings have gotten off to a 2-0 start, but they have not been close to full strength in their victories over the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.
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The Vikings suffered a major blow early in the season opener against the Packers when starting quarterback Kyler Murray was battered by a pair of Packer tacklers and he went down with a concussion. After the Vikings had traded for Murray in the offseason with the Arizona Cardinals, the quarterback won the starting job in training camp. Head coach Kevin O'Connell wanted the athletic quarterback to trigger an explosive offense.
Instead, O'Connell had to turn to veteran Carson Wentz to lead a limited version of the Minnesota offense. The Vikings were able to register a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter of the opener to gain a victory over Green Bay and then rode a powerful defensive effort to gain a road triumph over the Bears.
Murray will get an opportunity to open up the Minnesota offense
Now that Murray is able to return because he is out of concussion protocol and completely off the injury report, O'Connell has a chance to open up the Vikings offense. The head coach can show the rest of the NFL what the team is capable of doing against Tampa Bay's defense.
It should be a major challenge, since the Bucs have gotten off to an 0-2 start and they are going to fight with their last breath to get their first victory of the season. O'Connell may try to get Murray a couple of quick passes and a running play or two early in the game so the quarterback can get the feel of the game and an understanding of what the Vikings offense is capable of doing. He clearly wants to get the ball to star wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jodan Addison in an effort to deliver big plays.
Vikings are relatively healthy prior to facing Bucs
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) runs the ball against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Soldier Field.
Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
There was significant concern about the Vikings running game when starting running back Aaron Jones was on the injury list earlier in the week with a knee injury. The original plan was to split the RB chores between Jones and Jordan Mason, but Mason is on Injured Reserve and will not be available until mid-October at the earliest.
Jones was limited in Thursday's practice, but he was a full participant in Friday's workout and that is an excellent sign for the Vikings offense. Since Mason is out of the picture, DeeJay Dallas has taken over as the No. 2 running back. He was on the injury list with a toe injury early in the week. He was also limited in the Thursday practice, but he was also a full participant Friday.
The only offensive player who did not participate in Friday's practice was veteran left tackle Christian Darrisaw. He is the Vikings' best offensive lineman, but the team made it clear that it was nothing more than a veteran's day off and that he did not have any kind of injury.
Right tackles Brian O'Neill was listed with a knee injury early in the week. He was limited in practice Wednesday, but a full participant Thursday and Friday. The only other offensive player listed on the injury report is backup center Nick Sarnac. He has already been declared out for the game. That puts the pressure on starting center Blake Brandel to handle the full assignment.
Vikings going with new punter while defense is healthy
The Vikings won't have rookie punter Brett Thorson in the lineup against the Buccaneers. He suffered a right hamstring injury in the Week 2 victory over the Bears, and the Vikings brought back Johnny Hekker to take over the punting chores in this game.
Hekker was in camp and performed well this summer, but he did not get the job over the impressive Thorson. However, the Vikings gave the 14-year veteran a call and he had one of the best legs in the league during the prime of his career.
Thorson was averaging 45.8 yards per punt and 5 of his 10 attempts landed inside the 20. Hekker punted for the Tennessee Titans last year and averaged 46.8 yards on his 78 punts, a figure that matched his career average. Hekker punted 10 seasons for the Rams and 3 for the Panthers before last year's run with the Titans.
The Vikings appear to be healthy on defense, because all of their minor injuries were full participants in Friday's practice. Linebacker Jake Golday was listed with an ankle injury, and he was limited Thursday but had no issues Friday.
Defensive linemen Jalen Redmond (elbow) and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (oblique) were also limited early in the week, but both were full participants in the Friday session.
Veteran free safety Harrison Smith is one of the most important players on the Vikings defense. He was given a veteran's rest day on Friday.