News · Analysis · Community · Forever SkolThe Vikings have elevated Kyle Van Noy to the 53-man roster and added Kenny Dyson to the practice squad, according to VikingsTerritory, moves aimed at reinforcing a pass rush that has helped anchor Minnesota's defense through the first three weeks of the season.
Van Noy had been operating on a series of practice-squad elevations before the team made his roster spot permanent. The 35-year-old, signed shortly before the season began, has played in all three games and posted 7 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 quarterback hits and 4 tackles for loss, per the report. He has been working as the third edge rusher behind starters Dallas Turner and Andrew Van Ginkel.
Dyson fills the practice-squad vacancy left by Van Noy's promotion. The report notes the Vikings had previously attempted to sign him weeks earlier but were blocked by an NFL roster rule; enough time has since passed for the move to go through. According to the report, Dyson showed promise in the preseason and profiles as an undersized but mobile edge rusher, which the source suggests could give him a path to special-teams work, though that remains speculative rather than confirmed.
Minnesota's defense, coordinated by Brian Flores, currently ranks second in the NFL in scoring defense at 13.7 points allowed per game, with 14 sacks and 37 quarterback hits through three weeks, per the report. The article notes that weather conditions during a Week 2 game at Soldier Field may have contributed to some of that production. Both Chicago's Caleb Williams and Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield failed to finish their respective games against Minnesota, according to the report.
The Vikings are next scheduled to face the Miami Dolphins, who are without running back De'Von Achane due to a season-ending torn ACL, per the report. The source characterizes Miami as a struggling opponent that Minnesota should be favored to beat, though that framing reflects the outlet's own assessment rather than a neutral projection.
The added depth at edge rusher gives Minnesota more rotation options as it continues an unbeaten start to the season, though how much Dyson factors into game plans this early remains to be seen.