Minnesota Vikings Lose Another Tight End to Injury

The Minnesota Vikings were always going to start the 2024 season without starting tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is still working his way back from a dirty hit by Kerby Joseph last season. Now they will be without one of his replacements, and a key special teams contributor.

Nick Muse placed on short-term IR by Minnesota Vikings

Kevin O’Connell currently has three active tight ends on the 53-man roster. Well, at least he did until Nick Muse fractured his hand on Sunday. Now only Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt remain for Minnesota.

Kevin O’Connell said Nick Muse was placed on short-term IR with a fracture in his hand. He still recovered the onside kick with a broken hand. “File that under ‘situational masters/play style,’” O’Connell said.

The #Vikings are putting Myles Gaskin on the active roster.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) September 18, 2024

Muse suffered the fracture Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. Trailing 23-17 with seconds ticking away, Kyle Shanahan announced his intention to try an onside kick. New rules stipulate a different set of parameters for the onside kick in 2024. They come alongside the new kickoff rules:

• 4th quarter begins, the team trailing has the opportunity to declare an onside kick to the officials
• Current onside kickoff rules would apply. If onside kick goes beyond the setup zone untouched, kicking team penalized for UNS; return team would start the drive at the A20 yard line

Of course recovering an onside kick is never easy. The Vikings had the benefit of being told it was coming, and Muse was able to hop on it. Despite the pain he was dealing with in his hand, the play sealed a victory for the Vikings.

Related: PFF Falling in Love with Minnesota Vikings After Week 2

Through the first two weeks Muse has played just three offensive snaps while being on the field 19 times for special teams plays.

Myles Gaskin hits the Vikings active roster

The Vikings entered the regular season with just two running backs on the 53-man roster. Aaron Jones came over to be the lead back with Ty Chandler as a high-quality backup. Each of the first two weeks Myles Gaskin was elevated from the practice squad to join them. Now he’s a member of the active roster as well.

Trent Sherfield's blocking at the end of this Myles Gaskin run is a good example of why I think the Vikings keep six wide receivers.

(Nice rep from N'Keal Harry, too). pic.twitter.com/zGXhkctwfk

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) August 26, 2024

Players are only allowed to be elevated from the practice squad three times before being exposed to waivers. This would have already been Gaskin’s last elevation, so he gets added early instead. Gaskin has just a single carry for negative three yards this year. He has returned a pair of kicks however.

Related: Familiar Running Back in Line to Start for Texans vs Minnesota Vikings

It remains unlikely that Gaskin will see his offensive role expand. He remains available for kickoffs and can contribute on special teams.