J.J. McCarthy finds Josh Oliver for a 18-yard passing touchdown to cap the Vikings' opening drive. His O-line celebrated with him at the line. Vikings, 7 Commanders, 0 1Q | 11:03

First couple snaps of the Vikings' simplified offense to help J.J. McCarthy find some rhythm: Hands off to Aaron Jones on 1st. Hits Ben Sims for a conversion through the air on 2nd.

Vikings win the coin toss and choose to receive.

A noticeable number of empty seats at U.S. Bank Stadium, especially top-most deck. Vikings opt to announce the defensive starters out of the tunnel, starting with standout second-year DL Jalen Redmond and ending with veteran S Harrison Smith.

Here's our @stribsports.startribune.com live blog for today's Vikings-Commanders game. @bengoessling.bsky.social, @andrewkrammer.bsky.social, Mark Craig and I (+ more) contributing updates from U.S. Bank Stadium. www.startribune.com/minnesota-vi...

Vikings hype vid this week set to The Chain by Fleetwood Mac. Good stuff.

Both Donovan Jackson and Christian Darrisaw are active for the #Vikings today Inactives vs. Commanders: Theo Jackson Levi Drake Rodriguez Joe Hunber Walter Rouse Ben Yurosek Elijah Williams John Wolford (emergency 3rd QB)

Both Vikings LG Donovan Jackson and LT Christian Darrisaw are going through early warm ups on the field right now alongside other offensive linemen.

Vikings downgraded RB Ty Chandler from questionable to out. They’ve also signed QB John Wolford to the active roster and elevated CB Dwight McGlothern and DL Taki Taimani for tomorrow’s game vs. the Commanders.

On Friday’s ep. of Access Vikings w/ @bengoessling.bsky.social and @andrewkrammer.bsky.social, we chatted simplifications, frustrations, Jayden Daniels starting Sunday & answer some listener Qs. youtu.be/FMwSjXNx6i0

From yesterday: Amid what Justin Jefferson said is one of the more difficult seasons of his career, the 26-year-old captain has held firm verbally and with his actions to his commitment to the Vikings. "He always, like he did today, shows up with energy" bit.ly/3Md5oRl

Game statuses per Kevin O’Connell: - S Theo Jackson and DL Levi Drake Rodriguez are out. - RB Ty Chandler, LG Donovan Jackson and LT Christian Darrisaw are questionable.

Thursday’s Vikings-Commanders practice report. Several Vikings back to full participation today, including Blake Brandel and Ty Chandler. Donovan Jackson upgraded to limited. And for the Commanders, Jayden Daniels practiced in full.

Donovan Jackson appeared to be practicing for the Vikings today, and Blake Brandel was out of the no-contact jersey. Also saw Josh Metellus, but no Levi Drake Rodriguez.

ICYMI: Yesterday's Access Vikings pod talking Adam Thielen's departure, simplifying the offense and previewing the Commanders. Feel free to drop Qs for tomorrow's mailbag below 📭 . And for Vikings FBF, a treat! We're talking Minneapolis Miracle. youtu.be/CpuPUxvozlw

New Access Vikings podcast w/ @bengoessling.bsky.social + @emleiker.bsky.social on Adam Thielen asking out and the ongoing changes to get more from J.J. McCarthy Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/4AXa... Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/v... YouTube: youtu.be/CpuPUxvozlw

Putting out the call for #Vikings questions: leave them here, and we’ll answer them in the Access Vikings newsletter or the mailbag edition of the podcast (both out Friday). You can subscribe to the free newsletter here: link.email.startribune.com/join/7v1/sig....

Wednesday’s Vikings-Commanders practice report. Looks like Metellus practiced in a limited capacity after the viewing period. J.J. McCarthy was full, meaning he should’ve cleared the concussion protocol.

Christian Darrisaw at practice, a good sign for his expected return. But Jackson's replacement, Brandel, remains in the concussion protocol and hasn't been cleared for contact.

Besides Donovan Jackson, who KOC said earlier is not yet ready to return to practice from his ankle injury, also did not see Josh Metellus at practice. He visited the med tent a couple times Sunday. Blake Brandel, who’s in concussion protocol, was in a no-contact jersey.

Kevin O’Connell starts his Wednesday news conference saying the team will open RB Ty Chandler’s 21-day window to return from IR.

O’Connell says J.J. McCarthy is symptom-free. Needs to go through a full day of practice (the first opportunity being Wednesday) to officially clear concussion protocol.

Kevin O’Connell’s Monday injury updates: - Ryan Kelly should be day-to-day with his hip flexor issue this week - Aaron Jones’ shoulder injury is a re-aggravation of the one he was dealing with already - Blake Brandel is in concussion protocol but was already symptom-free today

Vikings announce Thielen, who was inactive yesterday, is being waived after requesting a release last week. His snaps took a significant dip after Jordan Addison’s return Wk. 4, and he’s played double-digit snaps in only one game since the int’l trip.

If you're still up, and if you care to watch... We've got today's postgame ep of Access Vikings up now. @bengoessling.bsky.social and I talk through the shutout and what we heard in the locker room + at the podium. youtu.be/tk8VIF7KDCY

Aaron Jones Sr. referenced the AC joint sprain he’d already been dealing with in his shoulder when asked about how he was feeling in the locker room just now. He exited in the second half. Said he’s “feeling alright.”

FINAL: 26-0, Seahawks. A shutout in Seattle.

And the Seahawks finally find the end zone with a 17-yard rush by Zach Charbonnet. A little bit of a scuffle on the field after the PAT, and there's a flag against the Vikings' Jay Ward. Vikings, 0 Seahawks, 26 4Q | 9:11

Seahawks fans boo the decision to send Myers on for a field goal attempt on fourth-and-1 at the Vikings' 23 yard line. After a timeout, Mike Macdonald reverses course and the Seahawks convert with a 2-yard pass from Darnold to Barner.

Ryan Kelly is out with a hip injury, per press box PA.

Michael Jurgens is on the field at center for the Vikings. Ryan Kelly's on the sideline with his helmet off.

End of 3Q: 19-0, Seahawks.

So Aaron Jones did eventually go to the tent several minutes after coming off the field. Apparently Pam Oliver said on the broadcast it took some convincing to get him to go. Tent's still up right now as the Vikings offense is about to get the ball back.

Aaron Jones didn't go to the tent after looking in pain as he came off the field following that fumble. He went straight to the bench and had a pair of trainers talking to him. But he's in the running back huddle now on the sideline.

Another Myers field goal, this one from 54 yards out. Vikings, 0 Seahawks, 16 3Q | 11:14

Halftime: 13-0, Seahawks. No offensive touchdowns yet, just the Jones pick-6 on Brosmer. The rookie's taken two sacks; Darnold's taken four. Four combined targets for Justin Jefferson and Jaxon Smith-Njigba with no receptions.

Myers gets the 56-yard field goal through the uprights after the Vikings batted down Darnold's second- and third-down passes to bring up third-and-3 at the Minnesota 38. Vikings, 0 Seahawks, 13 2Q | 0:08

Lumen Field gets LOUD as linebacker Ernest Jones IV intercepts a Brosmer throw away while under pressure on a fourth-and-1 pass play at the Seattle 4 yard line and takes it 85 yards for the touchdown. Vikings, 0 Seahawks, 10 2Q | 2:59

The second-years making an impact: Dallas Turner lands his second sack on Darnold today and forces a fumble, which Jalen Redmond recovers.

Andrew Van Ginkel lands a 5-yard sack on Darnold on third-and-10, and the Seahawks end their third drive of the game with a 33-yard field goal by Jason Myers the next snap. Vikings, 0 Seahawks, 3 2Q | 7:10

End of 1Q: 0-all. Neither offense made it past midfield in the first 15, though the Seahawks are poised to cross in the next few snaps. At their 47 now after Darnold found tight end AJ Barner for 11 yards.

Ryan Wright's on a roll. Punts of 56, 60 and 55 yards so far today as Vikings offense has failed to get things rolling.

Jonathan Greenard made his return to game action known there. Sheesh. Forces Darnold on the run and then Eric Wilson brought him down for a 13-yard loss. Seahawks punt, and Price makes sure to stay out of the way as it takes a Seattle bounce.

Max Brosmer was sacked twice in the Vikings' first series, both on third down. First was nullified by a defensive holding penalty and kept the Vikings on the field. This time it's a 9-yard loss and the Vikings punt the ball away. Sam Darnold time.

Seahawks win the toss and defer. Max Brosmer fans, how are you feeling?

This is true.

Beautiful day in Seattle. Vikings-Seahawks on deck in a bit. We’ll see what Max Brosmer can do in his first regular-season start.

#Vikings inactives vs. Seahawks Christian Darrisaw Donovan Jackson J.J. McCarthy Adam Thielen Theo Jackson Ben Yurosek Elijah Williams

Seven years and five teams since he was drafted No. 3 overall, Sam Darnold has found a home in Seattle and is returning to a level of regard he lost when the Jets discarded him early. “He just needed the right place, the right fit, the right opportunity” bit.ly/3LZOhCq

New Access Vikings podcast with @emleiker.bsky.social and @andrewkrammer.bsky.social, previewing Max Brosmer’s first start against the Seahawks and answering your mailbag questions: youtu.be/NhG5LyyLnyk