Mason on IR ~ Signed DeeJay Dallas to Roster

As mentioned elsewhere, I am surprised the Vikings didn't turn the gamesmanship around and sign Scott to their active roster. Don't know much about DJ, but Scott is a decent grinder, would make a reasonable replacement for Mason. And he could have some knowledge of the Bears playbook.

This really is big going in to Chicago. I can't imagine any winning game plan vs. the Bears not including a heavy dose of running the ball and clock management. Mason is essentially the hammer to Jones finesse. Maybe Bredeson can do some of the hammering. That running style is what really tires out defenses. It makes them sore and tired of tackling the guy.

I don't know a thing about Dallas, but if Claiborne is going to get a run, dude better hold on to the rock.

Per KOC, Kyler Murray has moved one step closer to suiting up for #vikings-Bears on Sunday 🏈 pic.twitter.com/8NuAN6wNJw

— The Viking Age (@TheVikingAge) September 17, 2026

StickierBuns wrote:

https://x.com/TheVikingAge/status/2100601923145797757?s=20

purplefaithful wrote:

IMO, that's what the protocol is for. You pass the protocol, you can play. If that's not right, then change the protocol. Otherwise, saddle up little fella, its time to play in Chicago. Because Wentz isn't the answer on Sunday.

From yesterday...

RB Jordan Mason (thumb) goes to IR: https://t.co/LrRPKIL272

Sorting out how the Vikings will deploy their RBs in Mason's absence. VIDEO: https://t.co/gx61UIZt8y

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 17, 2026

EAGAN, Minn. -- Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason will miss at least the next four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured thumb, coach Kevin O'Connell said Wednesday -- a second significant injury for the team's offense one game into the season.

With quarterback Kyler Murray's status in doubt for Sunday's game at the Chicago Bears as he works through the concussion protocol, the Vikings scrambled to find depth behind starting tailback Aaron Jones Sr. They promoted veteran back DeeJay Dallas from the practice squad and signed another veteran, Jerome Ford, to the practice squad. The team also has rookie running back Demond Claiborne on its roster, but he was inactive for the Vikings' 39-22 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 1.

Although Jones got the start Sunday against the Packers, Mason led the team with 15 carries for 59 yards. It is unclear when he suffered the injury, but O'Connell said Mason reported soreness Monday, leading to further examination. O'Connell said he did not anticipate Mason's recovery taking longer than four weeks.

The likeliest scenario is that Dallas, who signed with the Vikings on Sept. 2 and played seven snaps against the Packers, will be the primary backup Sunday behind Jones. Dallas, who was in training camp this summer with the Jacksonville Jaguars, has carried 22 times over the past three seasons while playing for the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers and Jaguars.

"He's a very, very smart player," O'Connell said. "The physicality that he plays with on [special] teams shows up in pass pro, and he's got some good instincts and vision and tools as a runner. So to have him available to us here has been big."

Murray, meanwhile, was scheduled to be a limited participant in practice, three days after a concussion on his 11th play Sunday that left him motionless on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium. Multiple teammates confirmed that his body was in the fencing position, a common side effect of concussions.

O'Connell said the Vikings will monitor Murray day-by-day and added: "The protocol is kind of the guiding light."

Assuming Murray does not play, backup Carson Wentz would start against the Bears. J.J. McCarthy would presumably back him up, and second-year quarterback Max Brosmer could be elevated from the practice squad.

StickierBuns wrote:

IMO, that's what the protocol is for. You pass the protocol, you can play. If that's not right, then change the protocol. Otherwise, saddle up little fella, its time to play in Chicago. Because Wentz isn't the answer on Sunday.

I dont trust the protocol for concussions...Not for a unique position like QB.

But thats just a fan opinion and I aint no dr.

StickierBuns wrote:

IMO, that's what the protocol is for. You pass the protocol, you can play. If that's not right, then change the protocol. Otherwise, saddle up little fella, its time to play in Chicago. Because Wentz isn't the answer on Sunday.

Yeah, I am getting the feeling he is playing. I don't remember a time when a player has progress thru the protocol this fast. Most target hitting some of the landmarks on Friday, he was hitting them on Wednesday. So if he was taking snaps with the first team, he is likely starting.

As you said, Wentz isn't the answer. We need to be able to take advantage of the bad secondary.

StickierBuns wrote:

IMO, that's what the protocol is for. You pass the protocol, you can play. If that's not right, then change the protocol. Otherwise, saddle up little fella, its time to play in Chicago. Because Wentz isn't the answer on Sunday.

Did u see Kyler vs GB? Wentz probably isn’t the answer but the team would be silly to pass up on this opportunity to find out for sure imo.

purplefaithful wrote:

I dont trust the protocol for concussions...Not for a unique position like QB.
But thats just a fan opinion and I aint no dr.

I've seen the doctors opinions in this thread, they certainly know more than me. But its not about that: why have a protocol at all then? 5 steps, all measured and medically backed. Can you pass them? You can, ok. Go play. Isn't that what rules are for? I still say its 50-50. But my only point is IF he can, he should.

pattersaur wrote:

Did u see Kyler vs GB? Wentz probably isn’t the answer but the team would be silly to pass up on this opportunity to find out for sure imo.

So you've seen enough of Murray, lol? Listen, we all know where I stand, I'm not going down that road again until shit really hits the fan if it does. But he hasn't had anywhere near enough plays to ascertain if he's fool's gold or not with the Vikings. Wentz has been with what, 5 or 6 teams since Philly? He's not the answer other than a decent QB2 maybe. Trust me: the Viking's organization didn't bring him in to watch him attempt 5 passes and then bench him. I'm not saying he's going to play well, but he very well might....and that ceiling will be higher than Carson Wentz. They don't know yet.

pattersaur wrote:

Did u see Kyler vs GB? Wentz probably isn’t the answer but the team would be silly to pass up on this opportunity to find out for sure imo.

Watching Wentz was painful. Glad we have him as a backup, but no way I want to see him take any more snaps than necessary. On that free play he threw the TD to Jefferson. But I swear he was looking for a checkdown first. Watch his eyes. I want to give him credit for looking off the safety, except we have seen him play. The "throw the ball Wentz!" was a common phrase in our household last Sunday.

StickierBuns wrote:

So you've seen enough of Murray, lol? Listen, we all know where I stand, I'm not going down that road again until shit really hits the fan if it does. But he hasn't had anywhere near enough plays to ascertain if he's fool's gold or not with the Vikings. Wentz has been with what, 5 or 6 teams since Philly? He's not the answer other than a decent QB2 maybe. Trust me: the Viking's organization didn't bring him in to watch him attempt 5 passes and then bench him. I'm not saying he's going to play well, but he very well might....and that ceiling will be higher than Carson Wentz. They don't know yet.

I mean... lol. But I agree, the coaches probably haven't seen enough. And if Murray was healthy I wouldn't be advocating benching him to give Wentz a shot by any means. But I think the stars have kind of aligned to give the team a chance to see what Wentz can do. The stakes are one division game, on the road, that we're projected to lose. Certainly hoping for a win but in the grand scheme of the season with the end goal of Super Bowl, I think the benefits of Wentz vs Bears this week outweigh the benefits of rushing Murray back. If Wentz wentzes the bed then the team needs to get more serious about making sure JJM is ready to go if this situation arises again. If Wentz steps up now you know that too. Either way, Kyler starts Week 3. I agree, we gotta see what's there.

StickierBuns wrote:

I've seen the doctors opinions in this thread, they certainly know more than me. But its not about that: why have a protocol at all then? 5 steps, all measured and medically backed. Can you pass them? You can, ok. Go play. Isn't that what rules are for? I still say its 50-50. But my only point is IF he can, he should.

I get the logic and we'll just have to part company disagreeing...

I trust my own intuition on this...I can't count the # of times Ive seen teams put a QB back in who passed the protocols and then one hit - wham.

They're out for twice as long and are twice as susceptible to another hit again.

It aint worth messing with the season imo. To me? Thats the gamble they are taking.

Ford seems like the best 2nd option, no Mercedes, but reliable, good history of performance and low miles 😀

This makes the most sense to me… Just gamesmanship.

Ben Leber's gut feeling: Kyler Murray doesn’t play Sunday against Chicago.⁣
⁣@nacholeber thinks some of the uncertainty surrounding Kyler could be gamesmanship — forcing the Bears to spend time preparing for both Murray’s mobility and Carson Wentz.⁣
⁣#Vikings #SKOL #KFAN… pic.twitter.com/y1sM7hjHAN

— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) September 17, 2026

I listened to Leber this am when I was out running errands

He's a big Caleb fan, thinks if the Vikes dont control Williams going off-script?

It'll be game over.

Kyler Murray (concussion) is practicing on at least a limited basis for the second consecutive day. These drills don’t give much indication of his progress, but they are typically what happens during the open portion of practice. pic.twitter.com/xBeMvTJCM1

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) September 17, 2026

Why would KOC start Murray against the Bears without a full week of practice? That makes zero sense.

badgervike wrote:

...and I hear Deejay has great vision on the field....
Official team photo.

#Vikings RB Deejay Dallas talks about his viral headshot:

“Really I just want the other teams to put it up in their meeting, so they see it… one of my buddies, Brandon Tanev, he has a headshot like that, when he was with the Kraken, and shoot many other teams now. I like to… https://t.co/0unrTX9osE pic.twitter.com/hg22J3blp0

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 18, 2026