Andrew Van Ginkel: Everything you need to know

Van Ginkel posted five tackles (four solo) and two defensed passes in Sunday's 16-3 win over Green Bay in Week 18. He concluded the campaign with 54 stops (28 solo), including 7.0 sacks, 10 defensed passes (including an interception) and two fumble recoveries across 12 games. Van Ginkel missed four games early in the campaign due to a neck injury, marking the first time since his rookie 2019 season that he had to sit out any contests. The missed time likely contributed to his sack total dipping a bit compared to the 11.5 sacks he posted during the regular season in 2024, but it didn't keep Van Ginkel from registering a career-best 10 pass defenses (tied for most on Minnesota). Van Ginkel signed a one-year extension last April, so he should be back to help anchor the Vikings' defense again in 2026.

Van Ginkel had five total tackles, including 1.5 sacks, and recovered two fumbles in Thursday's win over Detroit. Van Ginkel had a signature performance in the win as he had two key takeaways in the opponent's backfield on a day when Minnesota's offense barely moved the ball. He now has 7.0 sacks in 11 games this season.

Van Ginkel notched four tackles (one solo) and two defensed passes, including an interception, in Sunday's 31-0 victory versus the Commanders. Van Ginkel's biggest play came in the third quarter, when he intercepted a pass intended for Terry McLaurin and returned it 40 yards to set up a Minnesota field goal. That was Van Ginkel's first pickoff of the campaign and fifth of his career, all of which have come over the past four seasons. The veteran linebacker's sack count has been down a bit this year -- he has 4.0 through eight games -- but he's also contributed seven defensed passes, one shy of his career-best regular-season mark.