Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Vikings are preparing for a week 5 contest in New Orleans against the Saints that could open up all sorts of doors for fans to start dreaming during the team’s Week 6 bye.
With a win, the Vikings would move to 5-0 for the first time in Kevin O’Connell‘s tenure as head coach and the first time since 2016, Mike Zimmer’s third year in charge. Beating the 1-3 Saints won’t be as easy as it seems looking at the two teams’ records, however.
First and foremost, Minnesota is not healthy this week. They’ve already lost their left guard Donovan Jackson for the season and Christian Darrisaw has spent the first part of Week 5 in concussion protocol.
Addison returns to Vikings practice, Darrisaw still out
That didn’t change Thursday, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, who did not see Darrisaw at practice for the second straight day open to reporters.
Thankfully, Seifert brought a little bit of good news on the injury front too, noting that wide receiver Jordan Addison (hamstring) was able to return to the fields at TCO Performance Center this afternoon… to what suddenly looks like a semi-crowded WR room.
Justin Jefferson is expecting to be back. We haven’t noticed him much, but Jauan Jennings is healthy and available too. And then, of course, there’s the newly acquired Odell Beckham Jr., who’s available to be elevated off the practice squad.
Jordan Addison (hamstring) returned to Vikings practice.
Did not see Christian Darrisaw (concussion).
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 8, 2026
What does this mean for Jordan Addison’s status this weekend?
O’Connell said then that the Vikings hoped to get Addison back for some limited work later in the week, per the team’s initial Week 5 injury report. Seifert’s update means KOC’s hopes came true.
The team posted Thursday’s official participation designations shortly after Seifert’s tweet above, which confirmed Jordan’s presence today. No doubt, it’s a step in the right direction for a 4-0 Vikings squad looking to remain undefeated after Week 5.
Related: Former Vikings Linebacker Turned Podcaster Back in NFL
Addison returned Thursday, after he sat out Wednesday’s practice. During his press conference yesterday afternoon, O’Connell described the 24-year-old’s injury as “minor hamstring soreness” after he felt “a tug” late in Sunday’s win over Miami.
Addison has been Minnesota’s hottest wide receiver since Jefferson’s injury. On the season, he’s totaled 11 catches for 163 yards and a touchdown. We’ll see how those numbers hold up once No. 18 returns.
Kyler Murray with a rocket to Jordan Addison for the TD 🚀
@MINvsTB on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus https://t.co/VaM63tFsfW
— NFL (@NFL) September 27, 2026
Christian Darrisaw still absent and in concussion protocol
Darrisaw remains in the concussion protocol after leaving Sunday’s Dolphins game. Like Addison, he did not practice Wednesday either. The NFL’s return protocol has five phases, and a player only moves up after handling the current one without symptoms coming back.
Team work doesn’t start until phase three. After that he still needs a full non-contact practice, baseline testing, clearance from the team doctor and a sign-off from an independent neurologist.
Symptom-limited activity. Rest, plus daily activities and light aerobic work only if symptoms don’t get worse.
Aerobic exercise. Longer, harder cardio under the training staff, such as a bike or treadmill. Still no football.
Football-specific exercise. Strength work and non-contact drills with the team, for 30 minutes or less.
Non-contact practice. A full practice of throwing, catching, running and position work, with no contact. Testing has to be back to baseline before he can move on.
Full clearance. The team doctor clears him for contact, then an independent neurologist has to agree before he can play.
If he wasn’t at practice again Thursday, Friday is the only day left, and that is not enough of those steps. Kyler Murray was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday after his concussion and was still ruled out against the Bears.
If/when Darrisaw cannot go, Seifert has already reported that Ryan Van Demark would be the projected starter at left tackle. That is on top of left guard Donovan Jackson already being out for the season after meniscus surgery. Joe Huber is expected to fill Jackson’s spot.
Friday’s final injury report will set game statuses. Until then, Addison being back is the clearest positive from Thursday’s session, while Darrisaw’s continued absence keeps the left side of the line in flux.
Mentioned in this article:Christian Darrisaw Injury Updates Jordan Addison
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