Kevin O’Connell gives positive Andrew Van Ginkel update but leaves one question unanswered

We are still in limbo right now with Andrew Van Ginkel

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Dec 8, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Andrew Van Ginkel (43) looks on before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Injuries have been the defining factor for the Minnesota Vikings through their first five games. The starters have missed 22 games due to injury, and it’s been the key reason why the Vikings are 3-2 instead of potentially 5-0.

The biggest injuries on offense have come on the offensive line and at quarterback with J.J. McCarthy. The starting offensive line has yet to play a snap together, and we are now entering the fifth week of McCarthy’s injured ankle.

Things have been better on the defensive side of the football, but they have been missing two critical pieces. Blake Cashman had his practice window activated on Monday, which is a good sign for the run defense. However, the other player, who has yet to return, doesn’t have a clear path.

Andrew Van Ginkel’s status remains uncertain

One of the best players for the Vikings last season was edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel. He was a second-year All-Pro with 11.5 sacks and two pick-sixes. He’s played in just two games this year due to a neck injury that he missed a lot of time with in training camp and a concussion suffered in the season-opening win against the Chicago Bears.

Other than that game, Van Ginkel has logged just eight snaps against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he logged two sacks in the process. Head coach Kevin O’Connell gave an update on Van Ginkel, and it’s a mixed bag.

“Yeah, he’s doing better. He’s going to be working on a side field early on this week, and then
what I see is his workload hopefully picking up as we go,” said O’Connell. “I don’t really have an update on his availability for Sunday yet. I want to see how he does with some of that side-field work. And he’ll be a critical guy to get back in there for the nucleus of our core defensive group. He does so many things that help make a lot of the calls go. His versatility allows other guys to be kind of back in their sweet spot for their role within the defense.”

The versatility is huge for Brian Flores’ defense. Dallas Turner is built similarly, and it’s a major element for both. The Vikings love to run simulated pressures with the ability to have their pass rushers drop back into coverage. Having Van Ginkel return will allow the Vikings to be significantly more multiple on defense

However, neck injuries are tough ones to parse out. It all depends on the injury. Is it structural? Muscular? We don’t know exactly what it is, but getting to work on a side field is a good improvement.

Seeing Van Ginkel take that step forward would be a huge boost to the Vikings’ defense, which already ranks second in EPA/play.

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