Vikings, Buccaneers Rule Out Key Players Ahead of Sunday Meeting in Tampa

OriginalGlobal Sportscast deskSep 25, 2026 · 19:16 UTC

The short version

Vikings ruled out punter Brett Thorson (hamstring) and center Nick Samac (knee).
Buccaneers edge rusher Rueban Bain Jr. (groin) is out; linebacker Josiah Trotter (shoulder) is doubtful.
Johnny Hekker was signed to the Vikings practice squad and will be elevated to punt and hold.
Jake Golday and Aaron Jones were limited Wednesday and Thursday before practicing fully Friday.
Baker Mayfield and Jalen McMillan were full participants all week for Tampa Bay.

Minnesota will be without punter Brett Thorson and center Nick Samac, while Tampa Bay edge rusher Rueban Bain Jr. is also out for Sunday's game.

The Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have filed their last injury reports of the week ahead of Sunday's game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kickoff is set for the afternoon, and both teams carry meaningful names on the list.

For Minnesota, only two players arrived at the weekend carrying an official game designation, and neither will suit up. Punter Brett Thorson, sidelined by a hamstring problem after missing all three practices, and center Nick Samac, who sat out the week with a knee issue, have both been ruled out. Thorson's hamstring trouble could keep him beyond this week, and he may sit at least one more contest while recovering.

Thorson's absence triggers a change at punter. Johnny Hekker, who fell to Thorson in the training-camp battle for the punting and holding job last month, joined Minnesota's practice squad earlier this week and will be lifted to the active roster to handle those duties Sunday. Expect the club to keep using such elevations, within league rules, for as long as Thorson remains unavailable.

Elsewhere on the Vikings' report, running back Jordan Mason (thumb) did not practice at any point this week and sits on injured reserve, ruling him out. Linebacker Jake Golday (ankle) and running back Aaron Jones (knee) began the week as non-participants, moved to limited work Thursday, and were full participants Friday. DeeJay Dallas (toe) followed a limited-limited-full progression as well.

Defensive lineman Ty Ingram-Dawkins (oblique) was limited Wednesday before finishing the week as a full participant, and right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee) had the same arc. Defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (elbow) went limited, DNP, full. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw and safety Harrison Smith were listed as not injury related with rest designations; Darrisaw did not practice while Smith was limited Friday.

Tampa Bay's report features two defensive starters with designations. Edge rusher Rueban Bain Jr., a non-participant all week because of a groin issue, will not play. Linebacker Josiah Trotter, limited Wednesday and Thursday after opening the week as a DNP with a shoulder injury, carries a doubtful tag and is not expected to be active. Per the report's notes, Bain had struggled to make an impact across his first two games, while Trotter had performed well, making his likely absence the costlier one for the Buccaneers' defense.

The rest of Tampa Bay's list trends in a positive direction. Quarterback Baker Mayfield (illness), wide receiver Jalen McMillan (knee), and cornerback Jacob Parrish (back) practiced in full every day and carry no designation. Linebacker Anthony Nelson (shin) progressed from DNP to limited to full. Defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson was rested midweek, was limited Thursday, and completed Friday as a full participant.

For readers tracking the designations, the league's definitions: a probable player has at least a 75 percent chance of playing, a questionable player is considered uncertain, and a doubtful player is unlikely to appear, with roughly six percent of doubtful players historically active on game day. A player listed as out cannot play under league rules.

Minnesota visits Tampa Bay on Sunday, September 27, at 4:05 PM EDT at Raymond James Stadium. The game airs on FOX.