Minnesota Vikings News Dump (10.7.2025) | McCarthy to Practice, Wentz Shoulder, Addison Bye Week

Minnesota Vikings News Dump (10.7.2025) | McCarthy to Practice, Wentz Shoulder, Addison Bye Week

[Music] What’s going on to Romes? Beautiful Tuesday. Birds are chirping and oh, what’s going on to Romes? Beautiful Tuesday. Birds are chirping and stuff. It’s time for another Vikings news dump. So, uh, bye-week is upon us. Uh, and the Vikings landed back at MSP, uh, Monday morning. I’m sure there’s some stuff and some things, some things and some stuff. Uh, before breakout, everyone. Cabo on three. 123 Cabo, but please please no Alanas, which Samantha Fangkl just like, “No, no, no, no, no, no.” And everyone just behaved themselves like I’m predicting right now it would only happen to the Vikings on a by-week a player gets um detained in a third world country. No, we’ll just say foreign country. We’ll say like Estonia. We’re just calling our shot Babe Drew style. Uh, so player detained in Estonia for espionage. I’ve been listening to too many Jack Ryan books. Anyways, but uh some positive news. Emily Leker, Star Tribune, Kevin Okano says quarterback JJ McCarthy, left guard Donovan Jackson, center Michael Jurgens, and linebacker Blake Cashman are expected to practice next week heading into the Eagles game. Cashman will be returning from IR. Uh Okcon mentioned that his 21 window is going to be open as well as Jackson was planned to be back off of the scheduled uh wrist surgery and Jurgens’s back. You we’ll talk about the center position here uh in a little bit. But also McCarthy uh Okonnell said that there’s going to be rigorous practice tomorrow or this week. So it it’ll be good. And of course McCarthy back to full fitness. his mobility is extremely important and Okonnell has laid out that he wants a full week of practice before McCarthy gets back into the saddle and should be good to go there. Uh unfortunately uh so Carson Wes I mean Carson Wes was a warrior man throwing for tree uh against the Steelers gutting it out toughing out injuries against the Browns game-winning drive nine for9 against the best defense in the National Football League. Woo. So here’s a couple things. This isn’t like those Twilight movies like team Jacob and team Ed is that his name? Yeah. Uh yeah, I’m just trying to play it off like I don’t know who team Edward is. But uh so Carson Wentz, Jay McCarthy, you can support both of them because I play for the same damn football team, man. And also you can believe that JJ McCarthy will be good to go. It’s his job. Uh you can also say that Carson Wentz has done a phenomenal job, right? And you borderline has secured the gig. It could go either way. For me, it’s JJ McCarthy. Like Carson Wentz has looked fantastic, but we we still haven’t seen this team at full strength and it does seem like Kevin Okonnell is getting his groove back play calling. This offensive line is ideally getting back to near fitness and JJ McCarthy still has a chance to be that dude because that was the plan all off season when you let Sam Darnold walk, when you let Daniel Jones walk, when you didn’t resign Aon Rogers. Also, all three of those decisions were correct. By the way, I know that Sam Donald’s been looking good so far, but it’s a regular season. He looked good last regular season. How would he do in games that mattered? It’s what’s important. Uh, but with WZ, man, Alkalus athletic Kevin McConnell and quarterback said quarterback Carson Wentz is being further evaluated with the shoulder injury suffered in yesterday’s game. His non-throwing shoulder sounded like he came in pretty sore. One to watch. And noteworthy, Carson Wentz was so sore that he couldn’t golf the week ahead of the Browns game off the Steelers game. looked like he was dealing with something with his ribs too. Uh so it may be a spot where the by-week is extremely important here for both quarterbacks because hell if the Vikings had a game this week, would Carson Wentz even go? Would JJ McCarthy even go? Would it be the bros show? I it might have been. Yeah. But ideally having both quarterbacks because I do not believe in that hoie BS of well if you have two quarterbacks you have none. No, you have two good quarterbacks. And also this locker room is mature enough not to pick sides. There won’t be a schism. there won’t be uh all that stuff, right? Uh and speaking of WA McCarthy, uh so you know, great question by Matthew Caller of Kevin McConnell. This pull quotes from Waget Sports Illustrated talking about what JJ McCarthy’s been learning uh watching Carson Wentz this season. Uh he’s had some real moments of growth through his time. I think watching Carson, watching the way Carson’s kind of gone through progressions quickly, just the value of putting the ball in play even when it’s not your first progression, even it’s not the most exciting completion of all time. I think he’s kind of taken a lot of that or just watching it closely with my dialogue with him. But I think the most critical part is going to be technique and fundamentals of playing the position the way uh he’s worked so hard to build up throughout the spring and summer. Getting him back into kind of the mandatory nature of certain things from a fun fundamental standpoint that will only help him perform at a high level. So I think it’s going to be more about the physical side of his lower body mechanics. Uh and then uh I was going to make a pregnancy joke but uh then just trying to put together a game plan for him throughout the practices of how much he can do. what’s the sort level coming out of practices to try and be able to have the most consistent level of ramp up we can have with them. So, I I respect Okonnell and the Vikings for doing this a smart way as opposed just throwing them back out there to the Wolves where this offensive line has been in flux. But yeah, I feel like if I was a betting man, couple of jelly beans, I think JJ McCarthy is going to be starting week seven against the Eagles, especially given, you know, the fact that Carson Wentz is pretty banged up at this point. Uh, and then I think JJ McCarthy say show the rest of the way. Let’s go do it, baby. Right. Speaking of the offensive line. So, you know, the Vikings makeshift offensive line played a fantastic game against the Browns. Uh, really well. Of course, they got three sacks, but it’s whatever. But they they showed up and showed out against the number one pass rusher in the National Football League, the number one defense. They did great. Uh, Kevin McConnell asked about Blake Brle starting at center, having no center experience. I think what we learned is we have another high quality center option with Blake uh getting Jurgens uh back practicing again will give us a chance to assess what the best five look like uh looks like and what we’ll go with and we’ll work through that accordingly. But Blake had a really really strong day, which is absolutely right. And I feel like with Ryan Kelly and the concussions on IR that’s who knows. Uh, but I feel like if when Jurgens gets back, I don’t think it’s guaranteed that he’ll be center one. I I like Jurgens a lot. Blick Brandle’s been really good. And Brle, the veteran that they trust. They found they just found out he could play center. Versan Lee uh got Axe from the 53. I’m sure they’ll bring him back onto the practice squad. And I feel like just Darasaw will be Darzaw is good to go. Donovan Jackson will be back. Brle at center. Uh al also Kevin McCullin complimented on him uh calling out uh run blocking. So he al he called the center the quarterback of run blocking. Will Fry good to go. Uh then Brian O’Neal come back in a couple weeks from the MCL. That could be the five. And with Kelly if he comes back if he doesn’t I understand. I I just don’t know. But what if Blake Brandle’s the center of the future? Uh we should still trade for Jackson Powers Johnson. That’s beyond the point. Also, a guy who’s getting back on the field. Harrison Smith, who’s been back for the Vikings last three weeks, also has been off the injury report. So, that’s good to see. It continues to ramp things up. Kevin Seafford, who is not Carl Gerber, uh Harrison Smith played a season high 29 snaps versus the Browns. That was 41% of the Vikings defensive plays. His three-game ramp up to presumably uh playing full-time after the buy has him playing 38.4% of their snaps in weeks three through five. So, his usage keeps going up and up and up. Plus, you’re still seeing his impact where there’s a great third down play. Granar got a bull rush, forced Dylan Gabriel to vacate the the pocket, which just sounds like a fancy way of saying poop. Uh, and it would have gotten the first down on third and 10. Harrison Smith, nice little shoelace tackle. Johnny on the spot. It’s good to see, man. And, you know, this defense, especially against the run, once they get Cashman back, once they get AVG back, Harrison Smith is ramping back up there. I think the Vikings could be good to go against the run. So, we’ll see. Also good to go in coverage, Isaiah Roger Rogers. So, besides the defensive touchdowns, which are great, there’s a reason why we had confidence this off season in the quarterback room. Everyone was saying trade for a corner, sign a corner, do that. But Murf, premium deal. Rogers, a very team friendly deal and you’re good to go. Vikings insider wers lined up against Isaiah Rogers season Rome Drake London T. Higgins DK Jerry Judy so we’re not talking about overall stats but when Isaiah Rogers is the nearest defender to him whether a man or zone good to go I mean the best day was I guess Drake London won for 21. Yeah but that’s Rogers Island out there. You don’t want none. That’s right man. Plus, he’ll let you know the there was one of the Vikings um social segments where they asked the players which coach would you want to swap jobs with or which coach would you want to be? And Isaiah Rogers was I want to be Donte Jones, defensive back’s coach, because then I get to coach Isaiah Rogers, [Laughter] which is just a phenomenal answer. And that’s the that’s the that is the character. That is the swagger I want in a quarterback because hey, you’re going to get burnt. It’s National Football League. It’s football. It’s what happens. But do you have the cockure wherewithal to bounce back and make a play next time around? It’s like, hey, I might get burned nine times in a row. 10th time I’m making a play and taking it back for six. It might be too late cuz we’re down by 50. But I just love that, man. Also, it so it went from 85 to like 60 here in the great state of Minnesota in the Twin Cities metro. I’m digging it, man. I’m digging it. Plus, we’re headed out to undisclosed location, so it’s going to be chillier and rainier, which is exa exactly what what my soul needs because I think fall is the greatest season ever. Not only football, but sweater season, soup season, everything’s here. I actually don’t mind winter, but I think it’s because the wife and I don’t have to commute. So, I I understand like people still have like an hour commute. I I I can see why the hate is there. Yeah. But Justin Ricker Jefferson looking damn good. He’s also the number one selling jersey in Ireland and the UK uh during the last two weeks. So international superstar Mr. Worldwide Pitbull also some injury stuff and things and things and stuff. So I I thought the Vikings were the only team with injuries. Yeah. Uh Arama my sports update. Running back Saquon Barkley has a knee injury and did not practice today. Philadelphia plays on Tuesday night football versus the Giants in week six. Now, this could just be here. Here’s here’s like the dirty little secret. Teams don’t practice ahead of Thursday Night Football if they play on Sunday. Like, they’ll have a walk through on a Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday is a travel or rest day, but gen they they don’t get a full practice in. Sometimes that’s why the quality of the the game suffers on Thursday, but so this could just be whatever. And honestly, if Saquon doesn’t even practice on on Tuesday, I don’t think it’s that major of a I think they’ll still play on Thursday, but it is something to monitor as you watch the rest of the game on th on Thursday. Uh because, you know, the Vikings are off the buy, hosting the Eagles week seven, but the Eagles are off the mini by uh playing Thursday uh and then not getting on until next Sunday against the Vikings. So, just watch that. Also on the schedule, week eight, the Vikings play the Vikings. The Vikings do play the Vikings every single damn week. Sometimes we lose but the Vikings play the Chargers out in La La Land Sofi on Thursday Night Football week 8 and Omar and Hampton ain’t going to be there. Uh Shfter Chargers head coach jumping Jim Harbaugh said running back Omar and Hampton will be placed on injured reserve sidelining him for a minimum of four games due to his ankle injury. So it’s going to be Kamani Vidal I want to say. Uh and of course you know that the Chargers do love to pound the rock. Uh, we’ll see if Joel Alt returns to the game. Uh, but did he go in IR? I don’t think he did. Yeah. Uh, but Harbaugh loves to run the football. Herbert’s been getting smashed behind that makeshift offensive line. No Slater, no Alt as of late. So certainly noteworthy. Uh, because Hampton Hampton’s sort of rounding in the form. Like Hampton’s a damn good young running back, but we’ll see what happens. Uh, speaking of the buy, so Jordan Addison, uh, may maybe his whole missing a walkthrough in London and being suspended for a quarter is good because maybe it woke everyone up to be like, “Oh, yeah, watch him.” As opposed to something uh, bad happening during the buy page. Vikings wide receiver Jordan’s plans for the by-week. I’m going to be around the building catching uh, with JJ McCarthy. Just getting ready with him. Mhm. Mhm. I hope so. I honestly hope this is what happens. McCarthy can show some great leadership here. He’s like, “Hey, you’re going to stay in in my guest room with a new baby. You don’t have baby duty. Maybe change one diaper. I don’t know. And we will drive from my house to the facility every single day. We will work out. We will throw. Uh we we’ll build upon that great chemistry that we had in training camp. We will stop by Chipotle on the way home and we will call it a night. We’ll we will watch Inyuasha or some other cartoon or I don’t know what’s the So my my kid kids don’t watch TV shows anymore. just watch YouTube clips, which I find off-putting. And I say that as someone on YouTube, but the what’s the streamer guy where it’s always like, “What the heck?” Uh, so I I made dinner the other night and my middle son, Rocco, said that uh dinner was busting and I almost threw him out the window. I have failed. I have failed as a father. We have failed as a society. We need to tear it all down. But What were we talking about? Oh, uh, yeah, Addison and McCarthy do that. Basically, can you legally place a wide receiver under house arrest in the great state of Minnesota? I feel like we can do anything we want. I don’t know. I don’t know. But just Addison, you see how talented he is. For my money, he’s the best wide receiver, too, in the National Football League. I think that the Vikings should and could take care of him financially. Get it done earlier rather than later. So save a couple bucks. But also, I don’t know. Like every single time he has free time, I feel like you’re holding your breath. You know what I mean? Yeah. Uh but the Vikings are heading to the buy. Uh but still a couple issues. Run defense. Uh I think a lot of that is going to be, hey, once Cman, AVG get back full-time, Harrison goes back to full-time, I think that the defense is going to have a lot better communication. And I think there’s there’s going to be a lot a lot less pressing, if that makes sense, because I feel like players are trying to play hero ball out of desperation and they’re missing assignments, they’re missing keys, and they’re just trying to do too much. And with everyone back, I feel like there’s a confidence that comes with solid leadership back there. So, I don’t know. Ball security. So, loss in the shuffle is that Jordan Mason lost a fumble. He also had two fumbles in on the opening drives against Pittsburgh and and the Browns. Uh the Pittsburgh one didn’t cost him. Xavier Scott lost a fumble, too. I just wrap her up. Pass consistency. So, we always talk about pressures is more important than sacks. And Jonathan Gernard’s definitely been getting there, too. LDR, JRED have been there. Hargraves been doing all right. But where’s Jonathan Allen? you know, and here’s the thing, too, like Diamond Dallas Turner’s been getting some pressures, but also it it’s very clear that he’s playing more of the AVG role, more like a hybrid edge/offball linebacker. So, it’s really interesting. So, I I I know that fans are going to get mad. And we we’ve already said that he’s basically going to be this generation’s Anthony Bar where he plays a very specific role and he does it well, but he doesn’t make all the splash plays, so fans think that he sucks ass. Yeah. Uh but Turner, we’ll see. Penalties can’t have it. The Vikings still top three in the league in penalties. Got to clean things up. Special team returns. Seems like it’s just an automatic flag. Why? Like why even return a punt, right? Why even return a kick? There’s going to be hold probably carry on my Jayward son or Tavier Thomas. Come on. Offensive line health and depth. Uh knocking on all the wood. Everyone’s getting back and good to go. Uh and then also Irish play clocks and British camera wires. That’s all. No more shenanigans. That’s it. Anyways, that’s it. That’s at Tuesday Vikings News Dump. Uh my wife and I are head off to undisclosed location. Uh there still will be some cont content. It’ll be intermittent. It’ll be from the hat. It’ll be good. Yeah. Anyways, you guys are the best. You know what to do. Skull production value.

Minnesota Vikings News Dump for Tuesday, October 7th

DONATION LINKS
Venmo: https://venmo.com/purpleftw
CashApp: https://cash.app/$purpleftw1

Become a Channel Member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6Xt29Fi1ES6C1fEtWFUFIw/join

Get Your JEROME Gear! purpleftw.net!

Subscribe for Daily Minnesota Vikings Videos! http://bit.ly/2qO5r7m

#minnesotavikings #vikings