After an electric first week of the 2025 NFL regular season came to a close with J.J. McCarthy registering the first win of his professional career, it’s not going to take long for the Minnesota Vikings to face their second test. As McCarthy goes up against the first-round quarterback from the 2024 NFL draft, the stakes continue to rise when he squares off against Michael Penix Jr. and the Atlanta Falcons.
Coming off a heartbreaking loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Penix showed incredible promise in what is likely going to be the first full year as a starter for the Falcons star. Additionally, the Vikings will also come face-to-face with their former quarterback, Kirk Cousins, who is backing up Penix for Atlanta.
But which players are ruled out, and who will take the field for the two sides on Sunday Night Football?
Who Are the Inactives for Falcons vs. Vikings?
Atlanta Falcons Inactives
- WR Jamal Agnew
- CB Clark Phillips III
- OL Jack Nelson
- WR Casey Washington
- DL Sam Roberts
- K Younghoe Koo
Minnesota Vikings Inactives
- QB Max Brosmer
- S Harrison Smith
- OT Christian Darrisaw
- OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
- CB Jeff Okudah
- OL Joe Huber
- LB Austin Keys
A favorite for sure.
📺: https://t.co/onuDeV4jF2 pic.twitter.com/1r0qhjiBzN
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 13, 2025
Who Is Starting for the Falcons and the Vikings?
Atlanta Falcons
On offense, the Falcons will have:
- QB Michael Penix Jr.
- RB Bijan Robinson
- WR Drake London
- WR Darnell Mooney
- WR Ray-Ray McCloud III
- TE Kyle Pitts Sr.
- LT Jake Matthews
- LG Matthew Bergeron
- C Ryan Neuzil
- RG Chris Lindstrom
- RT Elijah Wilkinson
Defensively, they’ll have the following players:
- LDE Zach Harrison
- NT Ruke Orhorhoro
- RDE David Onyemata
- WLB Leonard Floyd
- LILB Kaden Eliss
- RILB Divine Deablo
- SLB Arnold Ebiketie
- LCB A.J. Terrell Jr.
- SS Jessie Bates III
- FS Xavier Watts
- RCB Mike Hughes
- NB Billy Bowman Jr. (Questionable)
The special teams unit, which is going to be without two major players, is going to feature:
- PK Parker Romo
- P, H Bradley Pinion
- PR, KR Ray-Ray McCloud III
- LS Liam McCullough
Playing an excellent game from start to finish, Atlanta came just shy of beating Tampa Bay in their opening game of the 2025 slate they’ll be looking to correct their course when going up against Minnesota.
However, they will have to do it without their superstar kicker, Younghoe Koo, who is ruled out for the game.
Minnesota Vikings
On offense, the Vikings will have:
- QB J.J. McCarthy
- RB Aaron Jones Sr.
- WR Justin Jefferson
- WR Jalen Nailor
- WR Adam Thielen
- TE T.J. Hockenson
- LT Justin Skule
- LG Donovan Jackson
- C Ryan Kelly
- RG Will Fries
- RT Brian O’Neill
Defensively, they’ll have the following players:
- LDE Jonathan Allen
- NT Jalen Redmond
- RDE Javon Hargrave
- WLB Jonathan Greenard
- LILB Eric Wilson
- RILB Ivan Pace Jr.
- SLB Dallas Turner
- LCB Isaiah Rodgers
- SS Joshua Metellus
- FS Harrison Smith (Questionable)
- RCB Byron Murphy Jr.
- NB Tavierre Thomas
The special teams unit, at full strength, is going to feature:
- PK Will Reichard
- P, H Ryan Wright
- PR, KR Myles Price
- LS Andrew DePaola
Minnesota has to be over the moon with their performance in McCarthy’s first start. After going down as bad as 17-6, he led a historic comeback to register a 27-24 victory. Seeking a second consecutive victory, the going is only going to get tougher.
The Falcons are going to be desperate to register their first win of the year, particularly after how things came to an end against the Buccaneers. As a result, the Vikings have to brace for Atlanta’s best shot.
