Ben Goessling
@bengoessling.bsky.social
Minnesota Vikings beat writer at Star Tribune; track/cross country ass't coach at Apple Valley and Augsburg. Husband, girl dad, sinner saved by grace.
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Kevin O’Connell said the hit that caused J.J. McCarthy's concussion "had to be late" in the game, based on how much the Packers hit him in the second half.
In addition to the five second-half sacks he took, here's the fourth-quarter scramble where T.J. Hockenson helped McCarthy up.
In addition to the five second-half sacks he took, here's the fourth-quarter scramble where T.J. Hockenson helped McCarthy up.
November 24, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Kevin O’Connell said the hit that caused J.J. McCarthy's concussion "had to be late" in the game, based on how much the Packers hit him in the second half.
In addition to the five second-half sacks he took, here's the fourth-quarter scramble where T.J. Hockenson helped McCarthy up.
In addition to the five second-half sacks he took, here's the fourth-quarter scramble where T.J. Hockenson helped McCarthy up.
Ryan Kelly was a full participant for the third straight day, as he prepares for his return on Sunday. The #Vikings will have to activate him from injured reserve by tomorrow, but they’ve kept Dwight McGlothern’s roster spot open for him.
November 21, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Ryan Kelly was a full participant for the third straight day, as he prepares for his return on Sunday. The #Vikings will have to activate him from injured reserve by tomorrow, but they’ve kept Dwight McGlothern’s roster spot open for him.
Another full day of practice for Ryan Kelly, who’ll likely be activated from IR in time to return for the #Vikings’ game against the Packers on Sunday.
November 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Another full day of practice for Ryan Kelly, who’ll likely be activated from IR in time to return for the #Vikings’ game against the Packers on Sunday.
Today is the three-year anniversary of Justin Jefferson’s catch against the Bills. He said today that seeing the clips of the catch made him want to get back to his “savage mode” from 2022. “It’s just going out there and just killing it, and not worrying about anything else that I can't control.”
November 13, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Today is the three-year anniversary of Justin Jefferson’s catch against the Bills. He said today that seeing the clips of the catch made him want to get back to his “savage mode” from 2022. “It’s just going out there and just killing it, and not worrying about anything else that I can't control.”
J.J. McCarthy returned to full participation for the #Vikings on Thursday, after being limited Wednesday with the right hand injury he sustained Sunday.
November 13, 2025 at 9:45 PM
J.J. McCarthy returned to full participation for the #Vikings on Thursday, after being limited Wednesday with the right hand injury he sustained Sunday.
Asked J.J. McCarthy today how he balances the fact he's a first-year starter with the fact he leads a veteran team that won 14 games last year. Even with his inexperience, he said he's not looking to be graded on an easier curve.
November 13, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Asked J.J. McCarthy today how he balances the fact he's a first-year starter with the fact he leads a veteran team that won 14 games last year. Even with his inexperience, he said he's not looking to be graded on an easier curve.
J.J. McCarthy said his right hand injury happened when he hit his hand on helmet on the throw to the end zone for Justin Jefferson. When asked if it affected him, he said, “If you slam your hand in a car door, it’s gonna feel different. But there’s no excuse. You’ve got to push through.”
November 12, 2025 at 10:57 PM
J.J. McCarthy said his right hand injury happened when he hit his hand on helmet on the throw to the end zone for Justin Jefferson. When asked if it affected him, he said, “If you slam your hand in a car door, it’s gonna feel different. But there’s no excuse. You’ve got to push through.”
J.J. McCarthy is yelling "Oscar, Oscar!" on this play, which is typically to change the direction of a run. Christian Darrisaw committed the #Vikings' fourth false start of the day as McCarthy made the check.
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 PM
J.J. McCarthy is yelling "Oscar, Oscar!" on this play, which is typically to change the direction of a run. Christian Darrisaw committed the #Vikings' fourth false start of the day as McCarthy made the check.
The #Vikings’ visit with Asante Samuel Jr. is on the league’s transaction wire today. Kevin O’Connell said today he’s always liked Samuel; the corner’s return to the NFL will come down to his health after his neck injury, but he could be a fit in Brian Flores’ zone schemes.
November 7, 2025 at 11:32 PM
The #Vikings’ visit with Asante Samuel Jr. is on the league’s transaction wire today. Kevin O’Connell said today he’s always liked Samuel; the corner’s return to the NFL will come down to his health after his neck injury, but he could be a fit in Brian Flores’ zone schemes.
The full #Vikings-Ravens injury report for Sunday
November 7, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The full #Vikings-Ravens injury report for Sunday
The #Vikings had five DNPs on Wednesday (Harrison Smith got a rest day). The Ravens’ injury report is blank; the team said every player was a full participant on Wednesday.
November 5, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The #Vikings had five DNPs on Wednesday (Harrison Smith got a rest day). The Ravens’ injury report is blank; the team said every player was a full participant on Wednesday.
The #Vikings like to build alerts into their pass concepts that create fade routes against press coverage. This was a quick game throw that became a fade for Jordan Addison on the first drive (and a near TD for J.J. McCarthy off a nice throw).
November 4, 2025 at 3:13 AM
The #Vikings like to build alerts into their pass concepts that create fade routes against press coverage. This was a quick game throw that became a fade for Jordan Addison on the first drive (and a near TD for J.J. McCarthy off a nice throw).
J.J. McCarthy still faced lots of pressure in the #Vikings’ win on Sunday — the second-highest rate in a game this season, in fact — but he went 7 of 11 for 91 yards and a TD against blitzes, per NFL NextGen Stats.
November 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
J.J. McCarthy still faced lots of pressure in the #Vikings’ win on Sunday — the second-highest rate in a game this season, in fact — but he went 7 of 11 for 91 yards and a TD against blitzes, per NFL NextGen Stats.
The #Vikings kept Christian Darrisaw out of practice Thursday, as they’ve done throughout the year after a Wednesday practice. J.J. McCarthy and Andrew Van Ginkel got full days of work for the second day in a row, while Jonathan Greenard returned to full participation.
October 30, 2025 at 9:33 PM
The #Vikings kept Christian Darrisaw out of practice Thursday, as they’ve done throughout the year after a Wednesday practice. J.J. McCarthy and Andrew Van Ginkel got full days of work for the second day in a row, while Jonathan Greenard returned to full participation.
J.J. McCarthy, Andrew Van Ginkel and Christian Darrisaw were full participants for the #Vikings on Wednesday. Brian O’Neill, Isaiah Rodgers and Jonathan Greenard were all limited.
October 29, 2025 at 9:53 PM
J.J. McCarthy, Andrew Van Ginkel and Christian Darrisaw were full participants for the #Vikings on Wednesday. Brian O’Neill, Isaiah Rodgers and Jonathan Greenard were all limited.
Carson Wentz met with reporters for about 10 minutes. Will have more later, but he said he understood the risks of playing with the shoulder injury he sustained in London, and didn’t think the #Vikings should have taken him out.
October 29, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Carson Wentz met with reporters for about 10 minutes. Will have more later, but he said he understood the risks of playing with the shoulder injury he sustained in London, and didn’t think the #Vikings should have taken him out.
The press (including this reporter) asked O’Connell about it after the game. GMs generally don’t talk during the season.
October 28, 2025 at 2:37 AM
The press (including this reporter) asked O’Connell about it after the game. GMs generally don’t talk during the season.
Christian Darrisaw going through a pregame workout with offensive line coach Chris Kuper. The #Vikings’ left tackle is questionable tonight; sources said this week there’s no new issue with his knee, but a short week is a challenge a year after his torn ACL.
October 23, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Christian Darrisaw going through a pregame workout with offensive line coach Chris Kuper. The #Vikings’ left tackle is questionable tonight; sources said this week there’s no new issue with his knee, but a short week is a challenge a year after his torn ACL.
C.J. Ham and Andrew Van Ginkel are out for the #Vikings’ Thursday night game against the Chargers. Christian Darrisaw is among the questionable players after showing up on the injury report for the first time this week today.
October 22, 2025 at 8:41 PM
C.J. Ham and Andrew Van Ginkel are out for the #Vikings’ Thursday night game against the Chargers. Christian Darrisaw is among the questionable players after showing up on the injury report for the first time this week today.
Here is the #Vikings’ first injury report of the week (which is estimated, since they didn’t practice today). Brian O’Neill and C.J. Ham were DNPs, while J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz would’ve both been limited.
October 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Here is the #Vikings’ first injury report of the week (which is estimated, since they didn’t practice today). Brian O’Neill and C.J. Ham were DNPs, while J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz would’ve both been limited.
Darius Frost talking to the media about how he fooled Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Darius Frost talking to the media about how he fooled Kwesi Adofo-Mensah
J.J. McCarthy on his right ankle: “It’s getting there. I wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent.” He said if it’s up to him, he’d play, “but we’ve got to be smart and understand there’s a lot of things that go on. I’m just going to do what I’m told and try to get better.”
October 15, 2025 at 9:18 PM
J.J. McCarthy on his right ankle: “It’s getting there. I wouldn’t say it’s 100 percent.” He said if it’s up to him, he’d play, “but we’ve got to be smart and understand there’s a lot of things that go on. I’m just going to do what I’m told and try to get better.”
The concept the #Vikings ran on Jordan Addison's game-winning TD on Sunday was similar to the one they ran on Justin Jefferson's TD in Green Bay last year (Bobby Peters calls it Stick-Hitch in his book). The hitch converts to a fade vs. press coverage.
October 8, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The concept the #Vikings ran on Jordan Addison's game-winning TD on Sunday was similar to the one they ran on Justin Jefferson's TD in Green Bay last year (Bobby Peters calls it Stick-Hitch in his book). The hitch converts to a fade vs. press coverage.