After a first-round NFL playoff exit in 2025, the Minnesota Vikings face a season of challenges, notably the departure of key player Sam Darnold. They opened with a strong win over the Chicago Bears, but a crushing loss to the Atlanta Falcons has raised questions about their competitiveness. As they gear up to face the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Kevin O’Connell grapples with the absence of two crucial players ahead of the Week 3 clash.

According to Dianna Russini, J.J. McCarthy will miss time due to a high ankle sprain, while Aaron Jones is sidelined with a hamstring injury, keeping both out for four weeks. Their absence poses a significant challenge for Kevin O’Connell, who must address the Vikings’ thin depth chart. Since both players are crucial to the team’s success, their injurie

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