Minnesota

Vikings

Addison’s hearing has been set for October 7. The three-game estimate is the NFL’s standard DUI policy, though extra games can be tacked on for aggravating factors. It appears Addison has not triggered any of them, however. The real question is when the ban might take place. If the legal process drags on long enough — Addison was formally charged with two misdemeanors last week — he might not sit out until 2025. A 2024 ban is still probably most likely, but it’s doubtful we have clarity before the end of training camp. Addison’s next court appearance is in October.

O’Connell stopped short of declaring an expected return-to-play date before saying the team wants Tonyan to “take part” in preseason play. Vikings coaches were undoubtedly hoping one of their veteran tight ends would establish himself as an early-season replacement for recovering starter T.J. Hockenson (ACL and MCL). Tonyan’s back issue leaves the team with Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt for now. Both players respectably averaged 1.50 yards per route run last year while earning 18.0-plus-percent target rates. The competition’s winner could have streaming viability in September.

The Vikings are adding Moreau after dealing with major blows to their secondary depth in training camp. He played in 16 games while starting 11 for the Broncos last season. The 30-year-old recorded seven passes defended and one interception in Denver. Starting his career with the Commanders, Moreau has also spent seasons with the Falcons and Giants. The Vikings have lost Mekhi Blackmon to an ACL, with Shaquil Griffin also hurt. Moreau will be depth for a banged-up secondary.

McCain played under Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores for two seasons during their time with the Dolphins. Last season, McCain appeared in 10 games as a backup for the Giants, where he totaled one tackle while breaking up one pass. The veteran safety has started 87 of the 131 games he’s appeared in over his career and shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a depth signing who is familiar with the defensive system.

Blackmon suffered the torn ACL in the first practice of Vikings training camp. It’s a big blow to the Vikings secondary after Blackmon played in 15 games and started three as a rookie last season. Cornerback Duke Shelley was recently signed by the Vikings, but depth is shallow in the secondary. Entering his second season, Blackmon will now have to rehab to come back for 2025.

The Vikings picked up Darrisaw’s fifth-year option in the spring and now lock him up long-term. He gets $77 million guaranteed with an average of $28.25 million per year. At left tackle, Darrisaw has been the Vikings’ starter and ranked top-three amongst all tackles in PFF pass-blocking grade last season. Injuries have caused him to miss a few games throughout his three-year career, but Darrisaw has started 39 of the 41 games he has played. The Vikings have now locked up their second offensive cornerstone, with Darrisaw and Justin Jefferson part of the core that will help rookie J.J. McCarthy develop.

Van Ginkel suffered a foot injury in the Dolphins’ regular season finale against the Bills and was unable to suit up for the team’s Wild Card matchup against the Chiefs. It was later determined that Van Ginkel suffered a Lisfranc injury, and while he avoided the PUP list to open camp, head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team would “ramp up” his work throughout the summer. Van Ginkel totaled 69 tackles and six sacks for the Dolphins last season and was inked to a two-year, $20 million deal by the Vikings in March. If all continues to go well, it sounds like he’ll be ready in time for the start of the regular season.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Darnold has long been tabbed as the “bridge” quarterback for J.J. McCarthy, who the team took No. 9 overall in this year’s draft. McCarthy is expected to rotate in with the starters at various times throughout camp, but the former Michigan Wolverine appears to be a long way from taking the mantle as the permanent starter. Darnold has thrown for 1,440 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions in the seven games he’s appeared in over the last two years. The former No. 3 overall pick should serve as an adequate stopgap for the time being, but it would be surprising if he held off McCarthy beyond the midway point of the season.

The story isn’t Hockenson landing on the PUP list; that was always expected, given the significance of his injury and that it occurred in Week 16. The real story is his recovery. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Hockenson is “well ahead of schedule” in his recovery and that he’s hit several recovery benchmarks throughout his rehab. In his first full season with the Vikings, Hockenson turned in a career year, catching 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns. He finished as the overall TE2 in fantasy points per game (14.7) in PPR leagues and should have plenty of big fantasy performances in store once healthy. There’s a good chance Hockenson misses a chunk of games to begin the season as he continues his recovery, but it sounds as if things are progressing in the right direction. Tight ends Josh Oliver and Robert Tonyan are expected to compete for starting snaps in training camp.

The initial report comes from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. ESPN’s Adam Schefter later broke the deal’s financial details, including its fully-guaranteed status. Turner should anchor the Vikings’ pass-rush for years to come after finishing top five in pass-rush win rate (19.6 percent), quarterback pressure rate (19.6 percent) and pass-rush productivity (11.6), ranked among Power Five EDGE rushers with at least 260 qualifying snaps.