No NFL team is going through the kind of injuries that the Minnesota Vikings are going through when it comes to the offensive line. The problem is that there might not be much the team can do about it, being that they are playing overseas.
Without the proper ability to sign and bring in players, as they played in Dublin, Ireland, last week and are in London, England, this week, it makes for an interesting roster construction for Minnesota. They had five offensive linemen who showed up on their injury report on Thursday, with all five not practicing.
- Christian Darrisaw - LT (Non-Injury Related - Rest)
- Donovan Jackson - LG (Wrist)
- Michael Jurgens - C (Hamstring)
- Ryan Kelly - C (Concussion)
- Brian O'Neill - RT (Knee)
The biggest concern is at the center position with Kelly in concussion protocol, and Jurgens dealing with a hamstring injury after last week's 24-21 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Without a proper center, the question every Vikings fan is asking is: Who would be the starter?
Minnesota Vikings do have a emergency solution for the center position
Have no fear, Vikings fans, Blake Brandel is here.
That's right, last year's starting left guard, who didn't quite have the strongest season, would be the center. Brandel was one of the most penalized linemen in the NFL, which caused Minnesota to draft Jackson in the first round of this year's NFL Draft to replace him.
It's also not the worst thing in the world to have a veteran like Brandel in there at center. ESPN's Kevin Seifert posted on X that he has seen Brandel take snaps at center over the last few years for situations like that. Brandel himself confirmed this and is ready to be the guy if they need him to play center.
“Never played in a game, no, but I’ve had a lot of practice reps, thankfully, whether that’s scout team or whatever. It’s just one of those things where I knew there at some point could be a possibility, and we’re here. So I’m excited.”
After last week's performance from the Vikings' offensive line that allowed six sacks and 14 quarterback hits on Carson Wentz, it could be a long day for the tackles against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday as they try to slow down defensive end Myles Garrett.
It'll be more critical than ever for Brandel to make sure his snaps are perfect and he protects Wentz well if he is called into action to start at center.