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MN Vikings O-Lineman MIA Recently
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- MN Vikings O-Lineman MIA Recently
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Vikings have chosen their starting quarterback. Now, focus turns to Saturday's preseason opener out East against the New York Giants . According to reports, Kyler Murray will play quarterback for the first team offense.
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Beyond the quarterbacks, though, we don't know how much the starters are going to play this weekend in New Jersey. But unlike what we've seen from head coach Kevin O'Connell in preseasons past, the belief is that much of the first team will get run on Saturday.
Both Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will play for the #Vikings in Saturday's preseason opener against the Giants, Kevin O'Connell said.
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— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) August 11, 2026
That doesn't mean all of the starters will play. For example, I'd still be surprised if we see Justin Jefferson suit up and risk his health for the upcoming regular season. And there appears to be at least one other starter who we can probably rule out…
Where is Will Fries ?
Normally, to play in any game, NFL teams want guys to partake in practice that week, especially those that take place in the days immediately leading up to game day. And while it has flown under the radar, amid all of the QB headlines being made , starting RG Will Fries has been Missing in Action at practice since Monday.
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On Tuesday, Fries was nowhere to be seen at TCO Performance Center. In his place, depth o-lineman Joe Huber took reps with the first, according to reports. Then again Wednesday, no Fries — more Huber.
"Will Fries was the only starter on the offensive line who was absent. Joe Huber filled in at right guard, which suggests he probably has a safe spot on the 53-man roster."
Interesting nugget about IOL depth. https://t.co/NQO072fk3J— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) August 11, 2026
Right guard Will Fries again sat out practice, with Huber taking his place with the first team.
Kevin O'Connell spoke with reporters on Tuesday, to announce Kyler Murray as the starting QB, not talk about Will Fries' absence. Yesterday, media was focused on conversations with one person, JJ McCarthy.
That's probably why we have no idea why Fries has been absent the last couple days of practice. But whether he's been out due to an undisclosed injury or something else, we can be fairly certain the 28-year-old right guard will not be playing on Saturday.
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Will Fries 2025 PFF Grades : 61.8 OVR ( | 60.2 RBKK | 62.9 PBLK
The Minnesota Vikings have just one practice remaining (today), before their preseason opener in two days.
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So unless O'Connell and the training staff go out-of-body while filling out the active (preseason) roster for Saturday's EXHIBITION game vs the Giants , there's pretty much no chance Fries suits up, despite what most of the other starters do.
Will Fries played all 17 games last year, but was not the guy Colts fans got to know before he broke his leg after five games in 2024, before signing with the Vikings last offseason. We'll have to wait to see what's keeping him off the field this week.
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