Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line issues could cost them in one unexpected way and it could be a disaster

A key detail could cost the Vikings dearly on Sunday

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings guard Blake Brandel (64) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Make no mistake about it, the Minnesota Vikings are decimated by injuries heading into their Week 5 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

It started off a little rough with left tackle Christian Darrisaw and safety Harrison Smith missing the first two weeks, and it’s only gotten worse since. Edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel has played just eight total snaps in the last three games, left guard Donovan Jackson had wrist surgery, and running back Aaron Jones in on injured reserve. Plus, inside linebacker Blake Cashman is also on injured reserve, as he and Jones have hamstring injuries.

Vikings have offensive line decimated by injuries

One of the key elements that we have been discussing all year with this Vikings team has been the offensive line. They spent a lot of resources to fix the unit, and it’s flashed moments of brilliance. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked out in the way they wanted it to due to injuries.

Sunday afternoon has the Vikings set to miss four of their top eight offensive linemen, forcing Blake Brandel to kick inside to center.

You read that correctly. Three starters and the backup center in Michael Jurgens are going to miss the game. This is what the projected offensive line will look like on Sunday.

  • Left tackle: Christian Darrisaw
  • Left guard: Joe Huber
  • Center: Blake Brandel
  • Right guard: Will Fries
  • Right tackle: Justin Skule

This is far from ideal across the board. Yes, Darrisaw and Fries are both starters, there are major weak points. Huber is a UDFA from Wisconsin who played well during the preseason, and Skule is a better right tackle than left tackle, which gives some hope. However, having Brandel at center could lead to a disaster type of game.

It’s not just that Brandel is going to start at center for the first time, he’s never taken center snaps at all in the NFL, and he was a college left tackle. Will he be asked to call out the protections? That responsibility is normally on the center, but Brandel has never played the position before.

If the Vikings had a quarterback who had been a starter in this system for a long period of time, it would be less of a concern, but Carson Wentz has been with the team for five weeks. As a 10 year veteran, he should be able to handle the burden of the protections. However, will his inexperience cause any issues?

It’s going to be a huge factor on Sunday morning, and one that will be worth watching,

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