NickMullens

News: 2 days agoMullens will start Saturday's preseason game at Cleveland, Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Mullens is set to move up to second on the depth chart at quarterback behind starter Sam Darnold after the Vikings announced Wednesday that J.J. McCarthy (knee) underwent season-ending surgery.

Spin: As a result of McCarthy's injury, second-year player Jaren Hall should have a clearer path to a spot on Minnesota's Week 1 roster as a third-string quarterback. Mullens was mediocre in five games (three starts) after Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending injury in 2023, averaging a healthy 8.8 yards per attempt but throwing eight interceptions. Still, he's a veteran who can fill in and have a strong game or two with his aggressive style if Darnold is injured.