Andrew DePaola is facing at least a short-term absence. The veteran long snapper is dealing with a hand injury which will require surgery, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Monday. 
A stint on injured reserve is likely as a result, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert notes. Moving DePaola to IR would ensure at least a four-game absence and require a fill-in for a notable stretch. DePaola did not miss a game over any of the past three seasons; his last injury was suffered in 2020, his debut Vikings campaign.
During his time in Minnesota, the former Buccaneer, Bear and Raider has found stability. DePaola earned first-team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career in 2022, and he landed a new contract in the wake of that success. The 37-year-old proved to be a worthwhile investment, as he secured a second consecutive Pro Bowl invitation as well as a second-team All-Pro nod last season.
The Vikings do not have a long snapper on their practice squad at the moment, so an addition over the coming days should be expected. The Vikings have just under $8MM in cap space, so a move aimed at replacing DePaola will not affect the team’s financial outlook or any potential trades made ahead of tomorrow afternoon’s deadline. The Rutgers product is under contract through 2025.
Minnesota kicker Will Reichard suffered a quad injury during the team’s Sunday night win over the Colts, leaving his outlook for Week 10 in question. The Vikings therefore face the possibility of having to replace two-thirds of their kicking battery for the short term.