J.J. McCarthy wasn't the only member of the Minnesota Vikings to triumphantly return to the field in the team's win over the Detroit Lions this past weekend. The Vikings also welcomed Pro Bowl pass rusher Andrew Van Ginkel back to the starting lineup in the matchup for the first time since the team's Week 3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Van Ginkel's presence was felt throughout the matchup against the Lions, and he played a major role in Minnesota coming out of the game with a win.
Despite the Vikings getting the victory, the veteran defender is still bothered by something that Detroit did in the contest that went unnoticed by the game officials.
At one point in the matchup, Van Ginkel was immediately met with a blindside block from Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond right after Detroit snapped the football. To the Minnesota defender's credit, however, he was still able to get up in time and quickly tackle Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
Here's a wide view of the block on Andrew Van Ginkel that more than a few Vikings players were upset about. But pretty wild that Van Ginkel still got the TFL. pic.twitter.com/4YQw3DdldT
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 5, 2025
Minnesota Vikings OLB Andrew Van Ginkel calls out 'dirty play' by Detroit Lions in Week 9
When talking with local Twin Cities reporters on Wednesday, Van Ginkel didn't hold back when talking about the block that Raymond delivered in the Week 9 showdown.
"I kinda thought it was a dirty play. Obviously, getting hit on the side, I'm just going to pass rush and all of a sudden I get whiplash because a guy blindsides me.
I wasn't too pleased with it, and I think that it's something that the league should look at, if it's something they need to take out of the game. Because we can't be doing that."
It's possible that the NFL could still fine Raymond for the block he delivered in the matchup against Minnesota, but during the actual game, no flags were thrown for the hit on Van Ginkel.
Obviously, football is a physical sport, and guys get hit during every play. However, the league and game officials also have a duty to protect the players on the field by properly enforcing the rules when guys are in defenseless situations, and Van Ginkel clearly felt that wasn't something that happened in Detroit in Week 9.