We are just a couple of days away from the Minnesota Vikings kicking off against the Indianapolis Colts. The bye week was a chance to get healthy, and they did just that.
At 5-0, Kevin O’Connell’s team couldn’t have asked for a better start. They have a brutal stretch coming up, but Daniel Jones’ team shouldn’t factor into that.
Carlie Irsay-Gordon made changes at the top of the organization this week. The Colts also come in at 2-4 after handing the Tennessee Titans their first win of the season, 26-20, last Sunday. That’s the opposite of the situation the Vikings are in.
No injuries of note for Minnesota Vikings
Before the bye, the MN Vikings were without Christian Darrisaw and Jordan Addison among their key contributors. They got extra rest after the victory over the Saints, and while Wednesday still had a couple of limited participants, there were none on the injury report Thursday.
Thursday’s #Vikings injury report https://t.co/EVmLOt2D49
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 22, 2026
A day after Jefferson, Brian O’Neill, and James Pierre were all limited, all three were full participants on Thursday. Addison has now logged back-to-back full practices, and Darrisaw has fully completed his concussion protocol.
Running back Jordan Mason was lost after the first week of the season due to a fractured thumb. He is eligible to return from injured reserve and has had his practice window opened. With multiple healthy practices under his belt, it seems likely he rounds out the Vikings’ full complement of skill position players this week.
Looked this up: The Vikings have only had Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jordan Mason and T.J. Hockenson on the field together for 9 snaps this season. Makes this post-bye phase interesting. If these guys are all healthy and together, what approach do defenses take?
— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) October 20, 2026
With only one game to his credit thus far, Mason has 15 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown. His return should give Aaron Jones some much-needed relief. It’s still plausible the Vikings add running back help prior to the trade deadline too.
Colts walking wounded against MN Vikings
The offense started to click for Kyler Murray and Kevin O’Connell against the New Orleans Saints. It’s certainly not a bad thing that the Indianapolis Colts will be without Sauce Gardner on Sunday. Unlike Minnesota’s, the Colts’ injury report is loaded.
Thursday’s practice report for #INDvsMIN. https://t.co/2dXgoMqYxf
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 22, 2026
Indianapolis has 17 players listed on its injury report, and through two practices, eight of them are still either limited or not practicing at all. Coach Shane Steichen may be looking to piece things together for a matchup in which the Colts are 6.5-point underdogs.
The MN Vikings need to avoid falling into a trap game situation, but the Colts are definitely presenting them with a positive opportunity. Daniel Jones has had success at U.S. Bank Stadium before, but facing his former team there on Sunday won’t be easy.
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