The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for a thrilling boost to their defense as undrafted rookie outside linebacker Tyler Batty takes a major step toward his NFL debut. On Wednesday, the team announced the opening of Batty’s 21-day practice window, signaling his return from injured reserve (IR) after a knee injury sidelined him during the preseason. The 6-foot-6, 271-pound powerhouse from BYU is now eligible to practice with the team, and the Vikings have three weeks to decide whether to activate him to the active roster or rule him out for the season.
Batty’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable. A standout at BYU, he started 44 games over five seasons (2020-24), amassing an impressive 224 tackles, including 33.5 for loss, 16.5 sacks, two interceptions, and two fumble recoveries. His dominant 2024 campaign earned him First Team All-Big 12 honors, yet he surprisingly went undrafted. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein projected Batty as a late-round pick, praising his “strong hands to discard the punch” but noting he may lack the elite speed or power to overwhelm NFL tackles. Still, Zierlein dubbed him the top undrafted edge rusher in the 2024 class, a testament to his raw potential.
Batty’s resilience was on full display during Wednesday’s practice, where he participated fully, hinting that his debut could come as early as this Sunday’s clash against the Cleveland Browns (9:30 a.m. ET) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The Vikings (2-2) desperately need his spark, as their linebacking corps has been ravaged by injuries. Blake Cashman remains sidelined on IR with a hamstring injury from Week 1 against the Chicago Bears, while All-Pro Andrew Van Ginkel, who notched a career-high 11.5 sacks last season, has been limited to just two games due to a lingering neck injury. Van Ginkel sat out Wednesday’s practice and is expected to miss Week 5, with head coach Kevin O’Connell emphasizing a cautious approach to his recovery: “We’re evaluating every avenue and all options to get him feeling 100%,” O’Connell told The Athletic.
Batty’s potential return couldn’t come at a better time. His bruising physicality and relentless effort make him a natural fit for a Vikings defense in need of depth and disruption. Though he left the preseason finale against the Tennessee Titans early due to his knee injury, his full participation in practice suggests he’s ready to prove why he was considered a draft steal. Zierlein described him as an “effort player” whose work ethic could outweigh concerns about his physical ceiling, and Vikings fans are eager to see if the 24-year-old rookie can translate his college dominance to the pros.
As the Vikings prepare for their international showdown with the Browns, all eyes will be on Batty. Will this hidden gem from BYU seize his moment and make an immediate impact? With the clock ticking on his practice window, the stage is set for a potential breakout performance from one of the NFL’s most intriguing undrafted rookies.