Latest news with #AlecLewis
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings Get Unfortunate Injury Update on $104 Million Starter
Vikings Get Unfortunate Injury Update on $104 Million Starter originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Vikings will be whole again on offense at some point relatively early in the upcoming season, though probably not by the time they square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football in Week 1. Advertisement Alec Lewis of The Athletic noted that starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was on a Pro-Bowl track before suffering ACL and MCL tears mid-season against the Los Angeles Rams, has moved admirably through his rehabilitation to this point. However, Darrisaw is unlikely to be ready to roll without restrictions come September 8. "Will he be back in time for Week 1? That's probably a rosy expectation at this point," Lewis wrote on Wednesday, July 2. "Still, Darrisaw has attacked his rehab. The Vikings have commended his progress." Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Lee-Imagn Images Darrisaw recently signed a four-year contract extension worth $104 million that begins in 2026. Advertisement As soon as he returns to the lineup, Darrisaw will serve as the pass-blocking anchor on a retooled offensive line in Minnesota that includes rookie Donovan Jackson (left guard), the No. 24 overall pick in the first round out of Ohio State, as well as free-agent signings Will Fries (right guard) and Ryan Kelly (center). Fries inked a five-year agreement for $88 million total, while Kelly signed a two-year contract for $18 million. Both started for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Pro Football Focus rated Darrisaw the 20th-best pass blocker in the NFL last season out of 120 tackles (both sides of the line) who played enough snaps to qualify for a ranking. PFF dubbed Darrisaw the sixth-best run blocker at the position and the No. 11 tackle overall in 2024. Related: Vikings Miss Out on Trade for Elite $72 Million Cornerback This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Insider Reveals J.J. McCarthy's Interesting Offseason Training Details
NFL Insider Reveals J.J. McCarthy's Interesting Offseason Training Details originally appeared on Athlon Sports. J.J. McCarthy is gearing up for his first start in the NFL after missing his entire rookie season due to an injury. The 22-year-old quarterback could throw only two touchdowns before tearing his right knee meniscus in preseason. Advertisement The No. 10 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft became the first QB to miss the entire rookie season due to injury after getting drafted in the first round.. The Vikings handed the QB1 mantle to Sam Darnold last season, but everything points to McCarthy taking that role in the upcoming season. The Athletic's analyst Alec Lewis shared some insights from McCarthy's offseason training sessions in Minnesota. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy(9)"The Vikings weren't babying J.J. McCarthy this spring. He may have been coming off of a torn meniscus, and he may only be in his second season, but Minnesota's staff made the tests difficult," he wrote. Advertisement Lewis further added that the Vikings' QB was handed lengthy call sheets before practice and was responsible for calls at the line of scrimmage. Although there were no such consequences for mistakes, each rep was played with utmost seriousness. "McCarthy didn't float perfectly through the weeks, but a steady stream of growth imprinted on the staffers monitoring him every day. He threw the ball with accuracy. His arm strength stood out," Lewis wrote. The analyst noted that McCarthy's ability to layer different throws is his physical priority, but the mental challenges have taken the driver's seat. The coaching staff hopes to supercharge some growth in the Michigan Wolverines' star by making it as challenging as it has been over the past few months. J.J. McCarthy enters his rookie season with plenty of talent around him. He'll have superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson as his go-to target, while the backfield will feature the duo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Up front, veterans Ryan Kelly and Will Fries, along with first-round pick Donovan Jackson, are expected to anchor the offensive line. Advertisement The Vikings are coming off a dominant 14-win regular season, only to suffer a disappointing early exit at the hands of the Rams in the Wild Card Round. Minnesota is counting on McCarthy to deliver and help the team make a deeper playoff push in 2025. Related: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Deemed 'Polar Opposite' of Sam Darnold Related: Vikings Trade Idea Sees J.J. McCarthy Joined by Young Gunslinger QB This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Vikings mailbag: Submit your post-OTAs and minicamp questions for Alec Lewis
The quietest time of the Minnesota Vikings' calendar is upon us. Players have gone home. Coaches are gearing up for what should be a fascinating season. It's the perfect time to answer some questions. Curious about J.J. McCarthy following OTAs and minicamp? Do you have questions about some of the young players or recent draftees? Toss any questions you want answered below, and we'll return early next week with as many answers as we can get to! Alec Lewis June 19, 2025 4:51 pm EDT
USA Today
20-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Patriots will reportedly hold joint practices with NFC preseason opponent
Patriots will reportedly hold joint practices with NFC preseason opponent Patriots' plans for joint practices in Minnesota are now finalized. — Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) May 19, 2025 The New England Patriots will visit the Minnesota Vikings for joint practices ahead of their second preseason game of the 2025 season, per The Athletic's Alec Lewis and Chad Graff. This isn't the first time Patriots coach Mike Vrabel and Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell have held joint practices. They did the same back in 2023, when Vrabel was still the head coach for the Tennessee Titans. Both coaches are former teammates from the Patriots in 2008. The Patriots and Vikings have met 14 times in the regular season with the Patriots leading the all-time series by a 9-5 margin. The last time the two teams played was on Thanksgiving Day in 2022 with Minnesota coming out on top in that matchup. The practices between the two teams will have several intriguing storylines, including a meeting between 2024 quarterbacks, Maye and J.J. McCarthy. New England's secondary will also be tested right out of the gate against a Vikings offense with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison on the roster. The matchups between Jefferson and Patriots All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez will especially be exciting. New England could use some iron sharpening iron ahead of a pivotal 2025 season. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams, Vikings looking to have joint practices in 2025
Rams, Vikings looking to have joint practices in 2025 Joint practices are a hotly debated topic for summer activities. Some teams love them, some teams hate them. The Los Angeles Rams appear to be in the "love them" category after reportedly looking to hold joint practices with the Minnesota Vikings, according to The Athletic's Alec Lewis. The Rams and Vikings would be NFL approval first. This wouldn't be a first for the Rams. They held three joint practices in 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers, the Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys. The Rams last saw the Vikings in the NFC Wild Card round where L.A. handed Minnesota a 27-9 shellacking, so it would be quite the reunion for the two teams. Plus, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is a former Rams assistant who runs a similar offense to the what Sean McVay does in L.A. We're still far away from having team practices, but the prospect of even discussing practice means the 2025 season continues to get closer and closer.
