Minnesota Vikings: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Minnesota Vikings make necessary roster moves to fortify roster after multiple injuries linger over the roster

Punter Brett Thorson’s hamstring injury and the need for running back depth led to a pair of moves on Tuesday afternoon. The Minnesota Vikings made a pair of practice squad roster moves Tuesday afternoon, signing punter Johnny Hekker and running back Jaret Patterson while releasing wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph and cornerback Bryce Phillips.

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Vikings To Sign P Johnny Hekker

The Vikings released punter Johnny Hekker on Aug. 30, but a reunion is taking place three weeks later. Hekker has agreed to a deal with Minnesota, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

Minnesota Vikings News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 22

Vikings Worked Out Eight Players

The Minnesota Vikings officially hosted eight free agents for workouts on Tuesday, according to the NFL transactions wire. The full list includes: RB Gary

Kansas City Chiefs News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most 300-yard, 3-TD NFL games' quiz

How many of the 46 NFL quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in the same game at least 10 times in their career can you name in six minutes?

The 'NFL total passing-TD leaders' quiz

The '6-Passing-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'NFL season TD-pass leaders' quiz

NFL News / Yardbarker

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

A few trades have rearranged the NFL's backup quarterback ranks, but the dust has mostly settled. From a mix of recent first-round disappointments, aging vets, and young project types, here is how the league's QB2 ranks look for the 2026 season.

Minnesota Vikings News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 22

Vikings Signing P Johnny Hekker & RB Jaret Patterson

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the Vikings are signing P Johnny Hekker. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the Vikings are also signing RB Jaret Patterson to the practice squad.

Minnesota Vikings News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / September 22

Brett Thorson's Week 3 Outlook Continues to Look Grim for Vikings

A Week 3 showdown with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looms for the Minnesota Vikings, who will be doing whatever it takes to improve their record to 3-0. The last time that happened was when the Purple and Gold won five straight games to open the 2024 campaign.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 22

Giants have an obvious trade replacement for Jaxson Dart

Once again, the New York Giants can't catch a break at the quarterback position.

Concerning update emerges on Jaxson Dart's injury

'MNF' takeaways: Davante Adams goes back in time; Giants once again have a Jaxson Dart problem

The '2026 NFL Week 1 starting QBs' quiz

Dallas Turner News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / September 22

What Dallas Turner's Breakout Means for the Vikings' Defensive Outlook Moving Forward

Heading into the 2026 NFL season, there was a lot of concern about the Vikings' pass rush. The team traded veteran outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and prepared to move forward with 2024 first-round draft pick Dallas Turner.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season

NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.

Johnny Hekker News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 22

Vikings Working Out Three Punters Including Johnny Hekker

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the Vikings are hosting punters Johnny Hekker, Matt Haack and Jack Stonehouse for workouts on Tuesday. Hekker, 36, wound up signing on with the Rams as an undrafted free agent out of Oregon State back in 2012.

Minnesota Vikings News / Bring Me The Sports / September 22

Undefeated Vikings get bizarre treatment in national power rankings

Despite a 2-0 start. Despite limiting the highest-scoring offense of Week 1 to just three points in Week 2. Despite doing that with a backup quarterback, the Vikings continue to be disrespected by some national media outlets.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Most 300-yard, 3-TD NFL games' quiz

The 'NFL all-time passing leaders' quiz

The 'FBS animal nicknames' quiz

The 'Most lefty-homers in a season' quiz

Kyler Murray News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NFL QB rushing leaders' quiz

In NFL history, 42 quarterbacks have rushed for 2,000 or more yards over the course of their careers. How many of the 42 can you name in five minutes?

Emmett Johnson News / Bring Me The Sports / September 22

Vikings might've made a massive mistake passing on Minnesota native Emmett Johnson

Emmett Johnson wanted the Minnesota Vikings to draft him. Instead, he watched the Vikings pass on him six times before the Kansas City Chiefs called his name in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Minnesota Vikings News / Athlon Sports / September 22

Jalen Redmond, Isaiah Rodgers Receive Top Grades From PFF After Win vs. Bears

The Minnesota Vikings set the tone, holding the Chicago Bears to three points and forced two turnovers. Chicago repeatedly moved into scoring range but came away empty-handed from three separate red-zone trips.

Minnesota Vikings News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / September 22

A Caleb Banks Breakout Is Even More Crucial as Vikings Enter Week 3 With Ingram-Dawkins Injury Concerns

Despite some miserable conditions at Soldier Field during the Vikings' win over the Bears, Minnesota escaped the Midwest monsoon relatively unscathed. Fortunately, the Vikings have only two injuries to monitor this week after their gritty victory, but one could force first-round pick Caleb Banks into some significant action in Week 3.

Minnesota Vikings News / A to Z Sports / September 22

Minnesota Vikings’ run game has shown major improvements, but is in danger of regression unless they do one thing

The Minnesota Vikings have committed to the run under Kevin O’Connell, but their depth at running back is being tested in a way that could derail that plan The Minnesota Vikings‘ run game has been one of the biggest themes through the first two games of the 2026 season.

NFL News / Larry Brown Sports / September 22

JJ McCarthy turned heads with his behavior during Vikings celebration

The Minnesota Vikings did not have the sexiest win on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, but they had a beautiful moment on the field after securing the 9-3 victory over their NFC North rivals, and it involved backup quarterback JJ McCarthy.

Minnesota Vikings News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / September 22

Vikings Stock Report: 3 Players Rising (and 3 Falling) After Week 2

It was an ugly win in Chicago for the Vikings, but thankfully ugly wins count the same as pretty ones, and Minnesota now finds itself alone atop the division.

Minnesota Vikings News / Minnesota Vikings on SI / September 21

Vikings Snap Count vs. Bears: Biggest Winners, Losers & Role Changes in Week 2

It wasn't pretty, but the Vikings left Soldier Field with a victory on Sunday, grinding out a 9-3 win over the Bears. The defensive battle on the wet field might not have been every fan's preference, but the old-school football was an absolute dream for fans of great defense.

Minnesota Vikings News / Viral Sports News / September 21

Minnesota Vikings Reveal Major Injury News on Key Playmaker

The Minnesota Vikings expect wide receiver Jauan Jennings back in the lineup Sunday when they visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving the offense two key pieces it lacked a week earlier.

Minnesota Vikings News / Bring Me The Sports / September 21

Vikings mulling RB decisions ahead of Week 3 Bucs battle

With Jordan Mason placed on IR last Wednesday, Aaron Jones received one of his biggest workloads in years with 23 carries against the Bears. He left Sunday’s game momentarily after a brutal hit set his helmet flying, but the 31-year-old appears to be ready to continue being the bellcow back going forward.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 21

Vikings confirm Murray, Wentz decision for Bucs game after report

Vikings confirm Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz decision for Buccaneers game after report

Murray completed just three of five pass attempts for 18 yards with an interception before he was knocked out of Minnesota's Week 1 game against the rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13.

Buccaneers experiencing buyer's remorse with Baker Mayfield after 0-2 start

Baker Mayfield backs off revenge game narrative after losing to Browns

Browns' Carson Schwesinger sends message to Deshaun Watson critics after win over Buccaneers

The '3-passing, 1-rushing TD games' quiz

Minnesota Vikings News / A to Z Sports / September 21

Kevin O’Connell’s recent success with the Vikings is the sign of things to come, and he’s setting NFL records in the process

Kevin O’Connell has won 7 straight games with 4 different starting quarterbacks, and a philosophical shift is driving it. The Minnesota Vikings and Kevin O’Connell have faced plenty of scrutiny over the years.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 22

Tests reportedly confirm major injury update for Bears' Caleb Williams

Late Monday morning, NFL insider Tom Pelissero of The Ringer and Netflix shared a massive update on Williams that will put the minds of Bears fans at ease.

Potential timeline revealed for return of Commanders' Jayden Daniels

Commanders make Marcus Mariota decision after Daniels injury

Commanders HC Dan Quinn leaves door open to major change

Commanders reveal stance on adding another QB

Seahawks leaving door open for Sam Darnold, Drew Lock move

Vikings confirm Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz decision for Buccaneers game

Minnesota Vikings News / TWSN / September 21

The Minnesota Vikings May Have the NFL’s Next Superstar Pass Rusher

While the Minnesota Vikings did not score against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, they didn’t need to because a star defender has started to emerge for the Vikings and that is Dallas Turner.

NFL News / Yardbarker / September 21