The Minnesota Vikings elevated Kyle Van Noy from the practice squad for Sunday’s Week 2 trip to Chicago, his second straight call-up and another step toward what could be a spot on the 53-man roster. Minnesota also elevated rookie wide receiver Dillon Bell, while Van Noy returns to the rotational edge role projected in the Week 1 depth-chart update.
Van Noy hasn’t reached the roster deadline yet. NFL teams may use three elevations per player in a season before they must sign that player to the 53-man roster to dress him again. Sunday will use Van Noy’s second elevation, leaving Minnesota one more temporary call-up.
Two elevations in two games say all it needs to, though. A player of Van Noy’s caliber doesn’t belong on a practice squad for long, and the Vikings didn’t add a 35-year-old with his résumé just to help with scout-team reps. Back-to-back call-ups before he’s spent a full month in Minnesota suggest a move to the 53-man roster was the plan all along.
Kyle Van Noy gives Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner proven support
Van Noy recorded one solo tackle across 25 defensive snaps against the Packers. Though he didn't record a sack, that's not bad for a veteran who joined the organization 11 days before the opener. Brian Flores already knew him from their years together in New England, so the quick deployment makes sense.
Van Noy entered 2026 with 561 tackles, 57 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 10 recoveries, and four interceptions across 173 regular-season games. His tackle against Green Bay moved his career total to 562 in 174 games. He also owns two Super Bowl rings and a 2024 Pro Bowl selection.
The recent trend gives Minnesota a reason to keep evaluating. Van Noy plunged from a career-best 12.5 sacks in 2024 to 20 tackles, two sacks, and an interception in 15 games last season. But at 35, he’s being asked to supplement Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner, not rescue the pass rush.
The two-time Super Bowl champ signed with the practice squad on a $411,300 non-guaranteed base. Another active-game check is nice, but a permanent roster spot would be a far nicer payday. More importantly for Minnesota, it would be confirmation that Flores trusts him beyond a trial.
If Van Noy handles another 25-ish snaps against Caleb Williams and the Bears, the Vikings’ third elevation will be coming. After that, Minnesota will have to create a roster spot or stop dressing a veteran that it’s treated like part of the defense from the jump.
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