Tyler Batty placed on IR with torn ACL; Vikings' need for OLB depth deepens

· Yahoo Sports

Promising Vikings second-year outside linebacker Tyler Batty tore his ACL in Friday night’s preseason finale and has been placed on injured reserve, according to insider Tom Pelissero of Netflix and The Ringer.

The Vikings already had a pretty glaring need for more depth on the edge behind starters Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner. That need is now even greater, considering Batty felt like the third-best edge defender on the roster prior to his injury.

Signed last year as an undrafted free agent out of BYU, where he had 33.5 tackles for loss in five seasons, Batty made the Vikings’ 53-man roster as a rookie and went on to play 267 snaps on special teams last year, as well as 42 on defense.

This year, the 6’6″ and 271-pound Batty looked to be in line for an expanded role in Brian Flores’ defense. The 27-year-old mixed in with the first-team defense at times during training camp. He was productive in his 50 preseason snaps, especially in the second game against the Ravens. Batty recorded four tackles, three pressures, and a QB hit.

He’ll remain with the team on IR while recovering from this injury.

Next in line for the Vikings at OLB are Bo Richter and Chaz Chambliss. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Jake Golday are also capable of playing on the edge, even if that isn’t their primary position. The Vikings are reportedly waiving OLBs Cam’Ron Stewart and Kenny Dyson (the latter with an injury designation) on Sunday.

Live updates as the Vikings trim the roster to 53 players Sunday

Even before Batty’s injury, the Vikings needed to acquire more pass-rushing depth off the edge. That need is now more glaring than it already was. Whether it’s via free agency, a trade, or waivers, the Vikings have to bolster their depth in the OLB room before the season begins.


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This story was originally published by Bring Me The Sports on Aug 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the MN Vikings section. Add Bring Me The Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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