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MN Vikings Quietly Dealing with Injury to Key Starter
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- MN Vikings Quietly Dealing with Injury to Key Starter
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Plenty has been made about the Minnesota Vikings wide receiver position , and for good reason. Justin Jefferson is finally returning to practice . However, Jordan Addison is down for the first three games of the season and Jalen Nailor is hurt.
Offense isn't the only thing to keep an eye on from the injury front though. The defensive front seven is expected to be among the best in the sport , but that will also require the full complement of talent to be healthy and available.
Right now, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel is neither of those things.
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Andrew Van Ginkel remains sidelined for Minnesota Vikings
This offseason the MN Vikings handed Andrew Van Ginkel a shiny contract extension . He came over from the Miami Dolphins, had familiarity with Brian Flores' schemes, and immediately turned in a career-best 11.5 sacks . Unfortunately for him, and Minnesota, Van Ginkel hasn't practiced since August 7th though.
The Vikings were once again without outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and safety Harrison Smith at practice.
Van Ginkel has been present at practices but in street clothes since Aug. 7; his injury is unknown. Smith has been absent from practices since Aug. 11 with what O'Connell said Aug. 13 is an illness.
As the Star Tribune's Emily Leiker points out, it has been quite a while for Van Ginkel to remain off the field. He is just shy of two weeks being held off the field. As a key component to the defense, and the other part an an edge rushing tandem with Jonathan Greenard, it's a disappointing reality.
Plenty has been made about Dallas Turner and where the 2024 first round picks reps will come from. If Van Ginkel is going to miss time during the regular season, he would conceivably be the next man up. He was held out of the preseason contest against New England over the weekend. That would seem to substantiate his role as a key member of the starting defense.
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Van Ginkel has been incredibly durable over the duration of his career. He has played in every game since the 2020 season, and is someone that can relied upon on a weekly basis. It's interesting that Minnesota has yet to provide a public injury designation here, but hopefully it's nothing overly serious.
Related: Harrison Smith MIA from MN Vikings Camp
Also noted by Leiker, Harrison Smith continues to be absent from practice. He is apparently dealing with an illness. The severity is to the extent has hasn't been around the facility for over a week.
The MN Vikings kick off their regular season on September 8 against Chicago at Soldier Field.
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