The Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out Brian O’Neill for Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears. But the veteran right tackle logged limited participation on Wednesday and earned a DNP (did not participate) on Thursday. He suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s game against the Packers, adding a troubling variable to an offense already dealing with major uncertainty.
Minnesota knows it will be without running back Jordan Mason, who was placed on injured reserve after surgery to repair a fractured thumb. Quarterback Kyler Murray remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol and was limited in practice for a second consecutive day. Now O’Neill, one of the offense’s most proven players, is in serious danger of missing Minnesota’s second divisional bout of this season.
The Vikings may still have Murray and O’Neill available by Sunday. Neither has received a game designation yet, and Friday’s report will offer the clearest indication of their chances.
The issue is not simply the number of injuries. It is where they have landed.
Mason was a key part of the Vikings’ revised rushing approach in Week 1. He led the team with 15 carries for 59 yards, scored a touchdown and broke off a 28-yard run on the fourth-quarter drive that helped set up Aaron Jones’ go-ahead score. The Vikings ran the ball 34 times against Green Bay, sticking with the ground game long enough to help Carson Wentz settle in after Murray’s early exit.
That plan will now run through Jones. The veteran remains capable of handling a larger workload, but Minnesota built the room to have two different types of runners. Mason supplied physicality and downhill force, while Jones brings vision, receiving ability and experience. DeeJay Dallas, rookie Demond Claiborne, and practice-squad addition Jerome Ford are the remaining depth options.
O’Neill’s potential absence could make replacing Mason even harder. The 31-year-old has started at right tackle since his rookie season in 2018 and played all 65 offensive snaps in the opener. He is one of the line’s most dependable players in both pass protection and in the running game, two areas Minnesota needs to stabilize immediately.
If O’Neill cannot play, free-agent addition Ryan Van Demark would be expected to take his place. Van Demark joined the Vikings in March after spending the first years of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. Minnesota has not used him on offense in a regular-season game.
That would be a substantial change. Van Demark has NFL experience, but the Vikings would be asking him to make his first offensive contribution for the team in a divisional road game. He would have to protect the edge, communicate within a line still working through the details of its new rushing system and help create room for a backfield that has already lost Mason.
The quarterback situation increases the stakes. Murray was again limited Thursday as he works through the league’s concussion protocol. At this point, it’s a race against time. If Murray cannot play, Wentz would make his first start of the season after throwing three touchdowns in relief against Green Bay.
Wentz showed why Minnesota retained him. He entered an unexpected situation, stayed composed after an uneven start and helped fuel the Vikings’ 29-point closing run. Still, a road start against Chicago would be a different test, particularly if the offense is also adjusting to the loss of Mason and a new right tackle.
The Bears have injury concerns of their own. Running backs D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai were limited Thursday, while right tackle Darnell Wright returned to limited participation after missing Wednesday with a knee injury. But Chicago’s offense produced 59 points and 291 rushing yards in Week 1, creating a difficult assignment for any opponent.
Minnesota’s defense can make life difficult for Caleb Williams, but the offense needs to hold up its end. The Vikings cannot repeatedly hand Chicago favorable field position or let the Bears dictate the game because they cannot stay on schedule.
Friday’s injury report should clarify whether Minnesota will have Murray and O’Neill. Until then, the concern is clear: The Vikings have already lost one major offensive contributor, and they could be without two more when they travel to Chicago.
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