Now feels like a good time to go over the Vikings' current injury situations across the roster, based on information from Kevin O'Connell and a couple recent roster moves. The team will practice on Monday afternoon and Tuesday evening before heading to Seattle for the preseason opener on Thursday night.
James Lynch out for the season
News broke on Friday that Lynch will miss the 2023 season with a torn ACL. It's a tough break for the fourth-year defensive tackle, who was headed into a contract year, and a blow to the Vikings' depth on the interior of their defensive line.
"All he does is do things the right way," O'Connell said. "It stings whenever you lose a player anytime, but (this is a guy) that you've just seen totally committed coming back from his shoulder from last year. As I told James, this is just another temporary speed bump he will work through and be right back where he belongs, sooner rather than later."
T.J. Hockenson dealing with illness
Hockenson hasn't participated in team drills during the last couple practices, leading to speculation about a possible injury (or maybe even an impending contract extension). Turns out he's just been a little bit sick.
"T.J. Hockenson battled a little bit of an illness our last time out practicing," O'Connell said. "He's working his way back from that. He will take part in the early part of practice today."
Andre Carter II removed from PUP list
On Saturday, the Vikings took undrafted rookie edge rusher Andre Carter II off the Physically Unable to Perform list. He participated in his first training camp practice later that afternoon and should be good to go moving forward. Carter is raw, but his length and 2021 production at Army make him an interesting prospect to watch.
Others
Andrew Booth Jr. has missed a couple practices but will be a full participant on Monday. So will fellow second-year DB Lewis Cine, who was briefly banged up on Saturday.
Trishton Jackson, Jalen Nailor, and Kene Nwangwu are "continuing to work their way back in with a timeline in mind," O'Connell said.
Brian O'Neill is also in the process of returning from his Achilles injury.
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