If you’ve followed the Vikings long enough, you know the "Purple Curse" isn't just a meme. It’s a recurring nightmare. As we sit here in mid-January 2026, the 2025 season is officially in the rearview mirror, and honestly, the Minnesota Vikings injury list looked more like a hospital census than a football roster for most of the year.
It’s easy to look at the 6-11 finish and blame the play-calling or the defense. But when you lose your franchise cornerstone on the left side, your Pro Bowl tight end, and your rookie quarterback misses a chunk of his developmental year, you’re basically fighting a wildfire with a squirt gun.
The Quarterback Room: J.J. McCarthy’s Wild Ride
Let’s talk about J.J. McCarthy. The kid has the "it" factor, but his medical chart is getting crowded. He missed the season finale against Green Bay (and the Christmas game against Detroit) because of a hairline fracture in his throwing hand. It happened in Week 16 against the Giants. Brian Burns came off the edge, McCarthy got hit as he threw, and that was that.
The good news? Kevin O'Connell says it was a "very small" fracture and didn't need surgery. But it’s the cumulative effect that’s scary. This is a guy who already missed his entire true rookie year with a meniscus tear. In 2025, he dealt with a Grade 3 high ankle sprain and a concussion before the hand injury.
Basically, he only started 10 games.
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When he was out there, especially in December, he looked like the real deal. He went 3-0 in December before the hand gave out. He’s expected to be 100% for the 2026 off-season program, but the Vikings are almost certainly going to look for a high-end veteran backup. Relying on Max Brosmer or a battered McCarthy is a gamble the front office can't afford to take again.
The Big Names Who Ended 2025 on the Shelf
It wasn't just the quarterback. The Minnesota Vikings injury list featured some of the most expensive and talented players on the team.
T.J. Hockenson (TE): Hockenson’s shoulder was a nagging issue for the final month of the season. He missed the last two games entirely. When you’re paying a tight end like a top-tier receiver, you need him on the field. He’s technically "questionable" for the start of training camp in 2026, but the vibe in Eagan is that he’ll be fine after some rest.
Aaron Jones Sr. (RB): Jones is a warrior, but his hip just wouldn't cooperate late in the year. He missed the season finale and had missed four games earlier in the year with a hamstring. He’s an unrestricted free agent soon, and his age combined with this injury history makes his return a coin flip.
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Christian Darrisaw (OT): This was the silent killer of the season. Darrisaw was on and off the Injured Reserve with knee issues. He eventually landed on IR for good in late December. Without him, the offensive line was a sieve. He’s the most important person on this list for the 2026 season’s success. If his knee isn't right by July, the offense is in trouble.
The Defensive Casualties
Brian Flores had to get creative in 2025 because his pass rush was decimated.
- Jonathan Greenard: His season ended in mid-December after re-aggravating a shoulder injury in Dallas. He had surgery and is expected back for 2026, but losing him for the final stretch killed any hope of a late playoff push.
- Joshua Metellus: He’s the Swiss Army knife of this defense. He ended the year on IR with a shoulder issue as well.
- Jeff Okudah: Another concussion victim. He’s had a rough go with injuries his entire career, and it didn't change in Minnesota.
What Most People Get Wrong About This List
People see an injury report and think, "Oh, they'll be back next week." In the NFL, "back" doesn't mean "healthy."
Take Brian O’Neill, for example. He played through a heel injury for the last month. You could see he wasn't getting the same push in the run game. When a guy is on the report with a "heel" or "ankle" but still plays, he's usually playing at about 70%. That adds up over seventeen games.
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The Vikings led the league in "man-games lost" for a three-week stretch in November. That’s not just bad luck; it’s a roster depth crisis.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Off-season
The Vikings can't just cross their fingers and hope for better health next year. Here is what needs to happen:
- Prioritize O-Line Depth: With Darrisaw and O'Neill both ending the year with lower-body issues, the Vikings need a swing tackle who can actually start 4-5 games without the offense collapsing.
- The QB2 Upgrade: They need a Sam Darnold-type veteran who can win games if McCarthy's "bad luck" continues.
- TE Insurance: Gavin Bartholomew missed his entire rookie year with back issues. Hockenson is recovery-prone. They need a cheap, reliable veteran tight end in free agency.
Keep an eye on the medical updates during the Scouting Combine in February. That’s usually when we get the first real look at how guys like Darrisaw and Greenard are recovering from their surgeries. If the Vikings are going to turn this around in 2026, it starts in the trainer's room.