This is the live report of the Vikings game Thursday night against the Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. Check back here often for updates and analysis:
Perhaps you’ve heard: Kevin O’Connell used to work for the Rams, as Sean McVay’s offensive coordinator. This is O’Connell’s first game against McVay since O’Connell took the Vikings head coaching job after winning the Super Bowl with McVay after the 2021 season.
The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling recently talked to O’Connell about how he’s evolved as an offensive play-caller and what he learned from McVay.
“All the time I spent with him, framing how you want the week to go to provide ultimate clarity, for not only the quarterback but the whole team, was something I took directly from him,” O’Connell said.
After losing their first game of the season 31-29 at home to the Lions on Sunday, the Vikings get little time to dwell on the defeat before a trip to the West Coast. They’ll face a Rams team with plenty of players and coaches familiar to Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the Vikings coaching staff. Will the Vikings get their first West Coast night win since 1996?
The Vikings downgraded T.J. Hockenson and Dalton Risner to out before Thursday’s game, though Hockenson is expected to be activated from injured reserve on Friday in time for his season debut against the Colts on Nov. 3.
Vikings starting linebacker Blake Cashman (turf toe) and reserve cornerback Akayleb Evans (hip) were also ruled out. Both will miss a second straight game due to their injuries. Defensive lineman Jalen Redmond and tight end Robert Tonyan were elevated from the practice squad for the game in Los Angeles.
