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Former BYU linebacker suffers season-ending injury before NFL roster cuts
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- Former BYU linebacker suffers season-ending injury before NFL roster cuts
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Minnesota Vikings will be without one of their up-and-coming defenders for the season.
Outside linebacker Tyler Batty suffered a torn ACL during Minnesota's preseason finale on Friday, according to Netflix's Tom Pelissero. The former BYU Cougars standout was placed on injured reserve and ruled out for the 2026 season.
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Batty was signed by the Vikings as an undrafted free agent last year. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie, racking up 12 total tackles (two for loss). Most of his time on the field came on special teams. The focus for Batty will be getting healthy for the 2027 season.
This news comes after Batty was having an outstanding training camp ahead of the upcoming season. Analysts around the leagues were starting to take notice of his play for the Vikings. Somewhat rare for an undrafted free agent to make a splash early in his career. He was expected to be one of Minnesota's main rotational pass rushers behind Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel .
"Tyler Batty has had a nice start to camp, and he'll help in that area, along with second-round pick Jake Golday, who has the versatility and athleticism to play on and off the line," SI's Albert Breer wrote.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pounder spent his entire collegiate career at BYU. He recorded 224 tackles (33.5 for loss) with 16.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles, two PDUs and two INTs in 53 games. He earned All-Big 12 honors two straight years. First Team in 2024 and Second Team in 2023.
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He led BYU in tackles-for-loss and quarterback hurries in his final three seasons. He was a team captain and leader of the defense in the Cougars' 11-2 campaign during his final season. BYU dominated Colorado led by Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter in the 2024 Alamo Bowl.
Batty was able to stay consistent throughout a defensive coordinator change in Provo. He was part of Ilaisa Tuiaki's three-man rush approach before Jay Hill took over in 2023. This increased his production due to the aggressive pass rush concepts. However, Batty had great talent around him, which allowed for others to be double-teamed.
Minnesota will have to find a replacement for Batty ahead of the upcoming season.
The Vikings open the 2026 season at home against the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Sept. 13. Kickoff from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis will be at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.
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