Kevin O'Connell has made the key call ahead of Ravens Vs Vikings, with Kyler Murray ruled out and J.J. McCarthy likely to start when the Minnesota Vikings host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.
It is a preseason Week 2 game at noon CT, and it comes after the teams spent Wednesday and Thursday in joint practices at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center. The focus there was on maximizing practice reps for starters versus starters, which helps explain why the game itself is unlikely to feature many, if any, first-teamers.
Practice work has already set the tone
That is the real story behind this matchup. The Vikings and Ravens have already used their joint practices to get the meaningful work done, so the game at U.S. Bank Stadium is more about structure, evaluation and opportunity than a full-on dress rehearsal.
For Minnesota, there is added significance because this is the only exhibition contest this season at U.S. Bank Stadium. That gives the home crowd one last chance to see the Vikings in their own building before the regular season begins.
What fans need to know
The game will be shown across the Upper Midwest, including 11 markets and more than 70 affiliates, with coverage extending to Alaska. Fans in the Twin Cities, the United Kingdom and Canada will also be able to stream the game.
Radio coverage begins at 10 a.m. CT, with Vikings GameDay Live following at 11 a.m. Fans can listen through the Vikings Radio Network, while streaming options include NFL+, NFL+ Premium, the Vikings app, Vikings.com, the NFL app and NFL.com/plus.
For a preseason game, the headline is not just the result. It is the chance to see how the Vikings handle the next step of the evaluation process, and whether McCarthy makes the expected start in a home setting that matters more than the scoreboard.
