Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, October 23, 2025, 8:15 PM ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Network: AMZN
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Carson Wentz: : SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
J.J. McCarthy: SIT (Active, but only as emergency QB3)
Just because Carson Wentz is getting another start for the Vikings doesn’t mean he should be starting for your fantasy team. J.J. McCarthy isn’t quite healthy enough to start just yet (“or is he?”, said the conspiracy theorist), and that means at least one more week of Wentz. The matchup isn’t great either; the Chargers rank inside the top 10 in sacks, interceptions, and yards per attempt, and have also given up just seven passing touchdowns, the second fewest in the league. Considering his 1:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his last two starts, I initially ranked him as a sit. But since it’s byemageddon, Wentz is semi-startable in Superflex. I mean, he is throwing to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. That has to count for something, right?
Running Back
Jordan Mason: START, RB1
Aaron Jones: SIT
Zavier Scott: SIT
The Vikings designated Aaron Jones to return from IR, although at the time of writing, it’s unclear if he’ll play on Thursday Night against the Chargers. Even if he’s active, I’m not comfortable starting him until we see two things: what he looks like on the field as a 30-year-old running back coming off a hamstring injury, and what the workload looks like between him and Jordan Mason. They’ve only played one full game together, and Mason both out-touched and out-efficencied him. (That’s a word, right?) Mason had 16 opportunities to Jones’ 11, and had nearly two more yards per carry (4.53 to 2.88), although Jones got a receiving touchdown. Before the season started, I predicted Mason would take over this backfield regardless, and I’m sticking to that. With or without Jones active, Mason’s an RB1 in a top 10 matchup against a defense giving up 5.1 yards per carry and allowing 10 rushing touchdowns.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson: START, WR1
Jordan Addison: START, WR2
You don’t need me to tell you to start Justin Jefferson, but did you know his childhood idols included receivers like Odell Beckham Jr., Davante Adams, and Keenan Allen? He said he studied their moves growing up. Jordan Addison had an alpha-like game coming out of the bye, leading the team with 12 targets, which he converted into 9 receptions for 128 yards, though he failed to score a touchdown. It was a season high in targets, receptions, and yardage, generating 21.8 fantasy points and bringing his average over 17 points per game since returning from his suspension. Addison is a rock-solid WR2 who can match the ceiling of nearly anybody in the league. Both receivers are in line for a productive Thursday night against a Chargers defense that just gave up 12+ points to both Michael Pittman Jr and Alec Pierce.
Tight End
T.J. Hockenson: STREAMER
T.J. Hockenson caught his second touchdown of the season against the Eagles in Week 7. That is, before it was overturned. But Hock still turned in his second double-digit game of the season. Even in his second straight game with a bottom-10 fantasy matchup, Hockenson is a decent streamer who’s seen 6+ targets in every game since Week 3.
Defense/Special Teams
Minnesota Vikings: STREAMER
The Vikings are top 10 in opponent points per game, but have aren’t doing much on the turnover front. They’re a McDouble DST, shouldn’t hurt you by giving up a ton of yardage or points, but don’t expect much of an upside.
Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback
Justin Herbert: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Since his Week 5 faceplant performance against the Commanders, Justin Herbert has been on a tear. Herbert has a 5:2 touchdown to interception ratio and has thrown for 684 yards over his past two games, a career best 420 coming in Week 7 against the Colts. Herbert’s production tailed off after a hot start, partially due to pressure faced with the Chargers’ injury-riddled offensive line. But stud OT Joe Alt is expected to return versus the Vikings, hopefully boosting the turnstile-like o-line and giving Herbert more time to work with. The Vikings are the fifth-worst fantasy matchup for opposing quarterbacks, holding five of six quarterbacks under 300 passing yards and allowing multiple passing touchdowns just twice. You may not have a choice, but if you do, Herbert is more of a Superflex option.
Running Back
Kimani Vidal: START, RB2
Hassan Haskins: FLEX, RB4 *RULED OUT (HAMSTRING)
Nyheim Hines: SIT
Kimani Vidal‘s primary Week 7 stat line of nine carries for 20 yards and 4 receptions for 15 yards is what the youths may call “disappointing”. It’s certainly not a great stat line for a guy who was the hottest waiver claim a week ago. However, the game script couldn’t have been worse, with a mollywhopping by the Colts turning the Chargers’ offensive plan into a tire fire.
But there was a silver lining. Vidal commanded a 64.9% snap share, handled 9 of 10 running back carries, and ran 27 routes to Hassan Haskins’ 18, earning 5 targets to Haskins’ 2. Yes, the results were ugly (Vidal finishing with only 7.5 fantasy points).
But his usage is the victory here. Vidal will remain a low-end RB2 because the passing-down role is secure, and he’s still dominating the carries. The volume seems locked in, at least until Omarion Hampton returns or until the Chargers trade for another running back.
Update: Haskins was ruled OUT for Thursdays game, setting up Vidal for even more potential work and raising his floor ever so slightly. Nyheim Hines will likely serve as Vidal’s backup but can be ignored for fantasy purposes.
Wide Receiver
Ladd McConkey: START, WR1
Quentin Johnston: START, WR2
Keenan Allen: START, WR2
Choosing a Chargers wide receiver for fantasy is a bit like eating at Golden Corral. You know all the options are relatively safe, but there’s always an outside chance of food poisoning. Pizza is the most inconsistent (Quentin Johnston), but it’s easily the best thing on the buffet when it’s on point. Then there’s the age-old classic honey butter rolls (Keenan Allen). You forget how amazing they are until they’re on the field…er, ah,…I mean…your plate. But the instant you take a bite, you’re doused in a nostalgia-fueled dopamine dump, realizing no matter how long it’s been, it just works. Finally, there’s the Signature Sirloin (Ladd McConkey). Your knee-jerk reaction is to dismiss the idea of a discount steak at a $15-ish buffet. But when you realize it’s USDA-certified, grilled to order, and give it a shot, more often than not, this unassuming cut of meat is really, really good. This particular Golden Corral has been known to be one of the worst when it comes to pizza, rolls, and steak. But all three are worthy of starting your meal off with.
Tight End
Oronde Gadsden: START, TE1
Many chalked up Oronde Gadsden‘s Week 6 breakout to Quentin Johnston not being on the field. But with Gadsden, he followed up his Week 6 by hauling in an additional 96 receiving yards and his first career touchdown, even with QJ active. Minnesota is. A middle-of-the-road matchup. They’ve not given up much in the yardage department, but allow an average of over four catches per game to the position. Just before the bye, the Browns’ tight ends came down with two touchdowns against them.
Defense/Special Teams
Los Angeles Chargers: STREAMER (2 Weeks, @ TEN next)
