12-15-2023, 03:15 PM
No Vikings player has been on the field for a larger percentage of the team's offensive snaps this season than Brian O'Neill. The right tackle won't be available, however, on Saturday.
The Vikings ruled O'Neill out for the game at Cincinnati, after he missed his third consecutive day of practice Thursday because of the sprained left ankle he suffered Sunday at Las Vegas.
Before he was injured, O'Neill had played every offensive snap for the Vikings this season, returning from the avulsion fracture he sustained in his right ankle on Jan. 1. He has been on the field for 830 of the team's 872 snaps, 30 more than any other Vikings offensive player.
With O'Neill out vs. the Bengals, David Quessenberry will start at right tackle after taking over for O'Neill on Sunday.
"His mental makeup is great. He's got [strength], length, all the things you want in a tackle," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said of Quessenberry. "I love everything about him: the way he steps in there. There's never any flinch. He's got more juice than anybody on the sideline, in the huddle, and I think he makes us better, having a guy like that, that can step in in those critical moments."
Running back Alexander Mattison, who sprained his right ankle Sunday, will also be out Saturday. Mattison was on the field briefly during the open portion of the Vikings' Thursday practice, but he left before players started any work.
O'Connell said Ty Chandler, who carried 12 times for 35 yards against the Raiders, will be the lead back for the Vikings against the Bengals. "Ty has been trending toward getting more carries," O'Connell said. "We're excited to see Kene [Nwangwu] get some opportunities."
He said the Vikings will determine whether to elevate running back Myles Gaskin or DeWayne McBride from the practice squad. Fullback C.J. Ham, who had one carry for 7 yards last week and frequently plays as a pass protector on third downs, could get more work with Mattison out.
Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor is also out because of a concussion.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-bengals-brian-oneill-alexander-mattison-jaren-hall-joshua-dobbs/600328143/
The Vikings ruled O'Neill out for the game at Cincinnati, after he missed his third consecutive day of practice Thursday because of the sprained left ankle he suffered Sunday at Las Vegas.
Before he was injured, O'Neill had played every offensive snap for the Vikings this season, returning from the avulsion fracture he sustained in his right ankle on Jan. 1. He has been on the field for 830 of the team's 872 snaps, 30 more than any other Vikings offensive player.
With O'Neill out vs. the Bengals, David Quessenberry will start at right tackle after taking over for O'Neill on Sunday.
"His mental makeup is great. He's got [strength], length, all the things you want in a tackle," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said of Quessenberry. "I love everything about him: the way he steps in there. There's never any flinch. He's got more juice than anybody on the sideline, in the huddle, and I think he makes us better, having a guy like that, that can step in in those critical moments."
Running back Alexander Mattison, who sprained his right ankle Sunday, will also be out Saturday. Mattison was on the field briefly during the open portion of the Vikings' Thursday practice, but he left before players started any work.
O'Connell said Ty Chandler, who carried 12 times for 35 yards against the Raiders, will be the lead back for the Vikings against the Bengals. "Ty has been trending toward getting more carries," O'Connell said. "We're excited to see Kene [Nwangwu] get some opportunities."
He said the Vikings will determine whether to elevate running back Myles Gaskin or DeWayne McBride from the practice squad. Fullback C.J. Ham, who had one carry for 7 yards last week and frequently plays as a pass protector on third downs, could get more work with Mattison out.
Vikings receiver Jalen Nailor is also out because of a concussion.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-bengals-brian-oneill-alexander-mattison-jaren-hall-joshua-dobbs/600328143/