Vikings Pro Bowler Injury Concerns Emerge as Season Nears
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Just two weeks away from their season opener against the Chicago Bears, the Minnesota Vikings have some concerns facing one of the NFL's top outside linebackers in Andrew Van Ginkel.
After earning the first Pro Bowl of his career last season, Van Ginkel landed a one-year, $23 million extension that doubled his pay from the past season. It was money well spent for Minnesota, which saw the former Miami Dolphins starter tally a career-high 11.5 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and two pick-sixes last season.
However, that investment in Van Ginkel could already be hit by diminishing returns with the latest development coming out of training camp.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the field prior to an NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings stands on the field prior to an NFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams, at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona.
Photo byAccording to the Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling, Van Ginkel has been sidelined at practice since August 7 with an unknown injury, adding that the Vikings Pro Bowler has been present but wearing street clothes at practice.
Read more: J.J. McCarthy Faces Brutally Honest Take After Vikings Camp
There has been little reporting on Van Ginkel's absence for the nearly two weeks he has sat out of practice. While safety Harrison Smith missed last week, head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed that his absence was due to illness. There's been no further information on Van Ginkel yet.
It's been almost 2 weeks since Vikings Edge Andrew Van Ginkel has practiced.
"Van Ginkel has been present at practices but in street clothes since Aug. 7; his injury is unknown." Writes @BenGoessling
No updates have been given on his injury or return.
Van Ginkel signed a 1… pic.twitter.com/uY8AtS1vhI — The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 19, 2025
If Van Ginkel misses time, the Vikings will get a good look at 2024 first-round pick Dallas Turner, who played a rotational role behind the Pro Bowl duo of Jonathan Greenard and Van Ginkel.
Read more: Vikings Get Major Justin Jefferson Development as Season Nears
Turner has turned heads at practice with a dramatic improvement in his second preseason.
"He's literally learning both of our positions. So, literally he can play at any moment and come in and there's no drop-off at all," Greenard said of Turner at the beginning of training camp. "I think that his humbleness is the biggest part about him, too."
For more on the Minnesota Vikings and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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