Vikings pass rusher Gabe Murphy is ‘man on a mission’ to make up for lost time

The elation shown by Vikings edge rusher Gabe Murphy, the purple blur responsible for two sacks and three other hits on Texans quarterbacks during Saturday’s preseason win, had been building for a year.

Murphy, a second-year undrafted defender out of UCLA, chopped down on the outside arm of Texans left tackle Zach Thomas, gaining the edge around Thomas with speed before he clocked Texans quarterback Kedon Slovis from behind for his first sack.

From both knees, Murphy celebrated the play by looking skyward with his arms extended.

“This time last year I was on the sidelines watching,” Murphy said after the game, “so it was good getting out there with the guys and I thank God every morning that I can.”

Murphy credits “the grind” of training at his home in Texas with his twin brother, Dolphins linebacker Grayson Murphy, and a healthy offseason after he spent much of his rookie year rehabbing a left knee injury.

The Vikings chased after Murphy following the 2024 draft, guaranteeing him $245,000, which led all of the team’s undrafted rookies last year. Coaches liked what they saw through his first couple of weeks of training camp, but a left knee injury prevented him from playing in the preseason.

Murphy didn’t practice as a rookie until Week 10 and didn’t play until Week 14 against the Falcons, when he said he first started getting his legs back. He said he’s been running in the right direction ever since.

“Gabe’s been a guy that has shown up daily at camp, highlighted in front of the team,” O’Connell said. “It feels like a man on a mission right now in a lot of ways. And I’m just proud of him, proud of where he’s at in camp right now.”

Murphy is behind many edge rushers on the depth chart — Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner — but he is on track to make the team as a healthy contributor this time.

“Sky’s the limit,” Murphy said. “I’m just going to keep working and see where the chips fall.”

Murphy was among nine players who did not fully participate in Monday’s practice, which was the first since Saturday’s preseason opener.

Also not practicing on Monday: Van Ginkel, receiver Justin Jefferson, safety Harrison Smith, fullback C.J. Ham, center Ryan Kelly, defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez, receiver Rondale Moore and offensive lineman Zeke Correll.

Safety Josh Metellus (foot) and defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (undisclosed) returned to practice Monday, signaling they’re ready to welcome the Patriots.

“There’s going to be a lot from me, a lot of energy,” Metellus said. “That’s the name of the game when I’m out there. I’m excited to see somebody else.”

You might want to remember the name Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, the rookie fifth-round pick out of Georgia, because the 22-year-old defensive lineman is being given plenty of first-team reps.

Ingram-Dawkins (6-foot-5, 276 pounds) has a rare blend of size and athleticism that didn’t lead to a ton of production in college. So he fell to the middle rounds of the draft to Minnesota, where coaches are trying to unlock his potential as a rare big guy with quick moves.

One thing defensive coordinator Brian Flores surely likes is Ingram-Dawkins’ ability to play both the inside and the edge of the defensive line.

Now he just has to get used to playing home games in a new locale.

“Kind of nervous,” Ingram-Dawkins said after his first preseason game on Saturday. “U.S. Bank Stadium is pretty different from Sanford Stadium, but for the most part it was a great first game in the NFL. I’m looking forward to many more.”

The Vikings claimed guard Michael Gonzalez off waivers from the Falcons on Monday and placed tackle Matt Nelson on injured reserve. Gonzalez is an undrafted rookie out of Louisville who has also practiced at center. The Vikings’ center depth took a hit on Saturday when Correll, an undrafted rookie, suffered a fractured right ankle.