Brian O’Neill Took Another Step Towards His Goal of Playing Week 1

Brian O'Neill
Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports

Late last season, Vikings right tackle Brian O’Neill suffered a partially torn Achilles tendon in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers.

The injury ended his season right before the start of the playoffs, and since then, the focus has been making sure he is ready to go for the start of the upcoming regular season.

That hope turned more to reality over the weekend as the starting right tackle took part in team drills for the first time since his injury occurred. On Sunday, Craig Peters and Ellis Williams posted a joint article on the Vikings team website laying out O’Neill’s participation.

Brian O'Neill
Nov 24, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) celebrates the win after the game against the New England Patriots at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the day, O’Neill participated in some 9-on-7 and 1-on-1 drills, getting some reps matched up with star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter.

“I’m really excited. I’m just trying to follow the plan that they’ve got for me and starting to shake some rust off,” O’Neill said after practice. “We’re right on schedule, right where we want to be. They’ve done a great job. We’re not there yet but will be.”

O’Neill was selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Vikings, and virtually ever since then, he has been the starting right tackle for the team. He started 11 games during his rookie season after beginning the 2018 season as a reserve. He has started at least 15 games in each of the past four seasons from 2019-2022.

Feb 3, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Minnesota Vikings tackle Brian O’Neill (75) during NFC practice for the Pro Bowl at Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The right tackle saw major growth during both the 2019 and 2020 seasons, and as a result, O’Neill was signed to a massive five-year extension worth $90 million with $53.5 million guaranteed. In his fourth NFL season during 2021, O’Neill was named to his first Pro Bowl.

It was his strongest season yet in terms of pass protection, allowing just 22 pressures over 695 pass-blocking snaps. O’Neill proved to be just as great during 2022, but the injury against the Packers knocked him out for the remainder of the season.

O’Neill did not begin training camp on the PUP list, giving great hope that he was trending in the correct direction. At the start of training camp, head coach Kevin O’Connell discussed the goal for O’Neill during this training camp period.

Questions Answered: The O'Neill Bad News, Vikings Top Need This Offseason, Chris Reed
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Brian O’Neill (75) readies at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Bears defeated the Vikings 33-27. (AP Photo/David Berding)

“Brian O’Neill will not be on PUP, but we will continue a predetermined plan for him that allows him to really progress towards the ultimate goal, which has always been September 10th against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

It seems that the Vikings right tackle is growing ever-closer to achieving that goal.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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