Inside The Vikings

Vikings' Andrew Van Ginkel ruled out for Steelers showdown with neck injury

The Vikings released their final injury report of the week on Friday.

Joe Nelson

Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) returns an interception for a touchdown during the second half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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Andrew Van Ginkel has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 4 game in Dublin between the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Van Ginkel hasn't practiced this week due to a neck injury. It's unclear when he suffered the injury, but he showed up on Minnesota's first injury report on Wednesday after playing in Minnesota's 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday.

"This is not something that we anticipate being anything that can have a long-term impact on him. He just came out of the game with some residual issues, and we just want to make sure we're smart. He's doing well, really well today," head coach Kevin O'Connell said Friday in Dublin.

He also missed Minnesota's Week 2 game against Atlanta with a concussion that he suffered in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears.

Without Van Ginkel, the Vikings will give more snaps to Dallas Turner, who has looked explosive in his second year in the league after Minnesota traded up to draft him 17th overall last year.

Also ruled out, as expected, are left guard Donovan Jackson (wrist surgery) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (sprained ankle). Both were ruled out earlier this week by the Vikings, meaning Blake Brandel will get the start at left guard while Carson Wentz makes his second straight start at quarterback.

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Steelers injuries to monitor

The Steelers have already ruled out starting linebacker Alex Highsmith. He didn't make the trip to Ireland. That leaves four key players on Pittsburgh's depth chart notable on Friday's injury report: safety DeShon Elliott, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., running Jaylen Warren and tight end Jonnu Smith.

Elliott (knee) was a full participant Friday and appears good to go Sunday. Porter (hamstring), Warren (knee) and Smith (hip) are all questionable.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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