JOSHUA METELLUS NEWS

Ready to rock Metellus (shoulder) has no injury designation ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Impact The Michigan product logged consecutive limited practice sessions to open the Vikings' week of practice, but it now appears he's moved past his shoulder injury in time to play Sunday. Now fully healthy, Metellus is expected to operate as Minnesota's top strong safety in Week 15.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Limited again Thursday Metellus (shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday's practice.

Impact Metellus logs consecutive limited practices with the shoulder injury he picked up in last week's 31-0 shutout win over the Commanders. The safety's ability to string together sessions means he is likely in good shape for Sunday's contest with the Cowboys, and he will have one more chance to increase his participation and avoid an injury designation for the game.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Working through shoulder injury Metellus (shoulder) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Metellus played every single defensive snap during the Vikings' Week 14 win over the Commanders, but he appears to have picked up a shoulder injury in the process. His ability to practice Wednesday indicates that the injury isn't considered serious, and he'll have two more chances to increase his practice participation ahead of Sunday's road tilt against the Cowboys.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Logs four tackles in easy win Metellus recorded four tackles (one solo) Sunday in a 31-0 victory versus the Commanders.

Impact Metellus' four tackles matched the amount he had the previous week. Prior to that two-game stretch, he had racked up double-digit stops in two straight games. Metellus has logged 79 tackles, including 0.5 sacks, and six defensed passes (including two interceptions) this season.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Sunday Metellus (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Commanders.

Impact Metellus logged limited practices throughout the week, which seems to have been enough to cleanse the safety of injury designation in time for Sunday's contest. The presence of the strong safety is great news for a Vikings defense that will be short on defensive back depth as is, as Theo Jackson (neck) will not play this week.

DECEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Logs another limited practice Metellus (shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday.

Impact Metellus has now been limited in each of the Vikings' first two practices this week. If he's unable to return to a full session Friday, the veteran safety will likely enter the weekend with an injury designation. Should Metellus be unable to suit up Sunday versus Washington, Jay Ward could step into a starting role.

DECEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up shoulder injury Metellus (shoulder) was a limited participant at Wednesday's practice.

Impact Metellus was questionable heading into last week's loss to the Seahawks due to a knee injury, but he suited up and handled his typical role. It's encouraging that he's starting the week on the practice field, albeit in a limited fashion, so he has a good chance to play this Sunday versus the Commanders. The 2020 sixth-round pick has accrued 75 tackles (37 solo), six pass breakups and two interceptions through 12 games.

DECEMBER 4 • ROTOWIRE

Will play vs. Seattle Metellus (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Impact Metellus was limited in practice during Week 13 prep due to a knee injury that he likely sustained during the Vikings' Week 12 loss to the Packers. However, he's been given the green light to play Sunday after going through pregame warmups and will start at safety alongside Harrison Smith while Jay Ward provides depth at the position.

NOVEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable with knee Metellus (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.

Impact Metellus likely suffered the knee injury during last Sunday's loss to the Packers and was only able to log limited practices throughout the week as he dealt with the issue. A return to the field and his consistent 100 percent snap count that he held for seven consecutive games before injury would be a huge boon for the Vikings' defense as they go against one of the league's top receivers in Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If Metellus is unable to play, Jay Ward would likely start at strong safety for Sunday's contest.

NOVEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Limited Wednesday Metellus (knee) logged a limited practice Wednesday.

Impact Metellus logged a season-high 12 tackles in Sunday's loss to the Packers, though he uncharacteristically wasn't on the field for 100 percent of snaps. That suggests he suffered the knee injury during the contest, though his limited participation is a relatively good sign for his availability Sunday against the Seahawks.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Highest tackle total of season Metellus recorded 12 tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 23-6 loss to the Packers.

Impact Metellus failed to play 100 percent of defensive snaps for the first time since Week 3, though that didn't impact his production. He logged a season high in tackles, also marking the second consecutive game that he's recorded double-digit stops.

NOVEMBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Double-digit tackles Sunday Metellus recorded 10 total tackles (four solo) in Sunday's 19-17 loss to the Bears.

Impact Metellus reached double-digit tackles in a game for the first time this season Sunday. The Michigan product has now tallied 59 total tackles, including 0.5 sacks, and four passes defended, with two interceptions, over the Vikings' first 10 games this year. He's expected to remain an integral part of Minnesota's defense in the Week 12 matchup against the Packers.

NOVEMBER 17 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Chicago Metellus (foot) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game against the Bears, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.

Impact Metellus has been managing a foot injury since early November. He was able to play through the injury against the Ravens in Week 10, and he's been given the green light to play in Sunday's NFC North tilt after logging a full practice Friday. Metellus has recorded 49 tackles (28 solo), including 0.5 sacks, and four pass defenses (two interceptions) across nine regular-season games.

NOVEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Still nursing foot injury Metellus (foot) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Impact Metellus was cleared to play through a foot issue during the Vikings' Week 10 loss to the Ravens, when he posted three tackles (two solo) while playing every single defensive snap. Given his ability to practice Wednesday, Metellus should be able to play in Sunday's NFC North tilt against the Bears, barring a setback. The 2020 sixth-rounder has accumulated 22 tackles (nine solo), including 0.5 sacks, and an interception in the four games since the Vikings' Week 6 bye.

NOVEMBER 13 • ROTOWIRE

Logs three tackles vs. Baltimore Metellus totaled three tackles (two solo) during the Vikings' 27-19 loss to the Ravens on Sunday.

Impact The sixth-year safety was nursing a foot injury during Week 10 prep, but the issue didn't appear to bother him Sunday as he played every single defensive snap. His three stops matched a season low, and through nine regular-season games he has posted 49 tackles (28 solo), including 0.5 sacks, and four pass defenses (two interceptions).

NOVEMBER 11 • ROTOWIRE

Back to practicing in full Metellus (foot) was a full practice participant Thursday.

Impact Metellus began the week with a limited practice session due to a foot issue, but he was back to being a full participant one day later. The veteran safety dealt with the same foot injury late last week and logged a limited practice session Friday before suiting up Sunday, when he played every one of Minnesota's defensive snaps for the fifth straight week. Metellus' full participation Thursday suggests he should be good to for Week 10 versus Baltimore.

NOVEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with foot issue Metellus (foot) was a limited participant at practice Wednesday.

Impact Metellus was on the field for 64 defensive snaps in Week 9 at Detroit, and it's not obvious when he picked up the foot injury. He'll have two more opportunities to upgrade to full participation at practice before Minnesota publishes its final practice report of the week Friday.

NOVEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Fine showing in win Metellus recorded five tackles (one solo) during Sunday's 27-24 win at Detroit.

Impact Metellus had recorded at least six tackles in three of the four games prior to Week 9, but he now has more work to do to get back on pace for 100 tackles on the season. He still projects as a fringe IDP candidate for a Week 10 matchup versus the Ravens thanks to his every-down role.

NOVEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Suiting up vs. Lions Metellus (foot) is active for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Impact Metellus landed on the injury report Friday as a limited participant and was given a questionable designation. However, he was always expected to suit up, as coach Kevin O'Connell referred to the safety's injury as soreness. Metellus has started all seven games this season, recording 41 tackles (25 solo) and four pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions.

NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Questionable for Week 9 Metellus (foot) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions.

Impact Metellus is dealing with foot soreness, according to Alec Lewis of The Athletic. He's started all seven games this season, producing 41 tackles (25 solo) and four pass breakups, including a pair of interceptions.

OCTOBER 31 • ROTOWIRE

The Next Great Chargers Tight End? Fifth-Rounder Oronde Gadsden II Breaks Out

A fifth-round selection in the 2025 draft, Oronde Gadsden II is showing the potential to carry on the lineage of great Chargers tight ends.

OCTOBER 29 • FOX SPORTS

Picks off Herbert in Week 8 loss Metellus recorded six tackles (three solo) and an interception in a loss to the Chargers on Thursday.

Impact Justin Herbert and the Chargers' offense dominated Thursday, but Metellus offered some resistance when he picked off Herbert midway through the third quarter. The interception was Metellus' second of the season, which already ties his career-high mark for a campaign. Metellus has also registered 41 tackles, including 0.5 sacks, through seven games.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Eight stops in loss Metellus recorded eight total tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks, in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Eagles.

Impact Metellus led the team in stops in the loss, securing at least four tackles for the fifth time in six games this year. Additionally, the safety was able to combine with linebacker Eric Wilson to sack Jalen Hurts in the first quarter. Metellus has now compiled 35 total tackles (22 solo), including 0.5 sacks, while also adding three passes defensed, one of which is an interception, over six contests this season.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Eight stops in loss Metellus recorded eight total tackles (three solo), including 0.5 sacks, in Sunday's 28-22 loss to the Eagles.

Impact Metellus led the team in stops in the loss, securing at least four tackles for the fifth time in six games this year. Additionally, the safety was able to combine with linebacker Eric Wilson to sack Jalen Hurts in the first quarter. Metellus has now compiled 35 total tackles (22 solo), including 0.5 sacks, while also adding three passes defensed, one of which is an interception, over six contests this season.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE