Chandler will vie for a spot on the Vikings RB depth chart this preseason. He barely played as a rookie but has talent as both a rusher and receiver and is especially patient behind the line of scrimmage. If put into action, Chandler would be unlikely to hog touches, which is why he's barely a blip on the Fantasy radar outside of the deepest of leagues. His value would rise if it's clear he's the definitive backup running back in Minnesota.
Vikings' Ty Chandler: Has 31 total yards in backup role
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Chandler had three carries for 27 yards and one reception for four yards on two targets in Sunday's loss to the Chargers.
Chandler worked as the backup to Alexander Mattison and played on 12 of the offense's 83 snaps. While Chandler showed a spark in the running game (9.0 YPC), he could move to a third-string role Week 4 at Carolina if Cam Akers joins the active game-day roster after his trade from the Rams.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Plays just seven snaps
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Chandler had one carry for no gain and two receptions for nine yards on two targets in Thursday's loss at Philadelphia.
Chandler played on just seven of the offense's 58 snaps, as he got little work despite starter Alexander Mattison struggling to run the ball (3.5 YPC). Mattison played 44 snaps, and it looks like Chandler will have a minimal reserve role in the backfield.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Week 1 Waiver Priority List
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I wouldn't worry about the Vikings adding Myles Gaskin as a threat to Chandler's role as the No. 2 running back behind Alexander Mattison. Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) is on injured reserve, and seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride is on the practice squad. I would have been more concerned for Chandler if the Vikings signed Kareem Hunt, who visited Minnesota as a free agent this summer. Chandler now becomes to Mattison what Mattison was to Dalvin Cook for the past four seasons -- a lottery ticket. He's a great late-round pick in all leagues and worth adding for 1 percent of your remaining FAB.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Joined by Gaskin in backfield
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Chandler and Myles Gaskin will provide depth behind Alexander Mattison to start the season, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
With Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) placed on injured reserve and rookie DeWayne McBride landing on the practice squad, Minnesota signed Gaskin on Wednesday to provide some experience behind Mattison. While Gaskin could earn a role, Chandler is more likely to get touches off the bench Week 1 against Tampa Bay and will also replace Nwangwu on kickoff returns.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Helps case for backup job
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Chandler rushed 11 times for 41 yards and caught all four of his targets for 29 yards in Thursday's 24-13 preseason loss to the Seahawks.
Chandler worked as the primary running back for the entire first half, and he showcased some shiftiness as both a rusher and a pass catcher. The 2022 fifth-round pick is in competition for the change-of-pace role behind Alexander Mattison in a Minnesota backfield that no longer features Dalvin Cook. Chandler's competition for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart comes from Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed), who missed this game but could be available for Minnesota's second preseason contest, along with rookie seventh-rounder DeWayne McBride.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Can't make most of first-team work
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Chandler struggled at Tuesday's practice after replacing a banged-up Alexander Mattison, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.
With Kene Nwangwu (undisclosed) already absent and Mattison limping off the field Tuesday, the Vikings temporarily were left with Chandler and rookie seventh-round pick DeWayne McBride as their only healthy halfbacks. Chandler took on most of the first-team snaps but may not have gained anything from it, as Lewis reports that the 2022 fifth-round pick "lacked consistency" and lost a fumble. The good news for Minnesota is that Mattison returned to practice Wednesday, albeit for a walk-through session, and there's been no indication Nwangwu's injury is serious. Still, it won't be surprising if the Vikings add another running back at some point this summer, considering none of their four backs was a top-100 pick in his year's draft and the players behind Mattison have combined for 59 NFL snaps on offense. Furthermore, the Vikings are the only team in the NFL with fewer than five halfbacks between their roster and various injury lists.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Could assume increased role
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Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips told reporters Thursday that Chandler will "have to be" ready to take on an increased role with the Vikings set to part ways with Dalvin Cook, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.
The 2022 fifth-round pick logged limited snaps last season as he operated behind Cook and Alexander Mattison, with all six of his carries for 20 yards coming in the last game of the 2022 season. Chandler could now assume a key backup role behind Mattison with Cook on the way out, but he will have competition from Kene Nwangwu and DeWayne McBride, who the team took in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Gets first NFL carries
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Chandler posted six rushes for 20 yards during Sunday's 29-13 win against the Bears.
The 20122 fifth-round draft pick got his first carries in the final game of the season as starters were rested ahead of the playoffs. He only played in three games and was limited to just special teams in his last two games. He may not be active for the playoffs.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Activated from injured reserve
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The Vikings activated Chandler (thumb) from injured reserve Wednesday.
Chandler was designated to return from injured reserve Dec. 7, so he was activated on the final day of his 21-day window. He hasn't suited up since Week 5 and played exclusively on special teams over his only two appearances this season, so even if he's active for Week 17, his presence shouldn't impact Minnesota's offensive game plan.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Headed to IR with broken thumb
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Minnesota placed Chandler (thumb) on its injured reserve list Tuesday.
Chandler sustained a thumb fracture during Sunday's 29-22 win versus Chicago, and he'll now have to sit out at least the Vikings' next four games as he recovers. The rookie fifth-rounder hasn't logged an offensive snap in 2022, but Minnesota will still have to find a way to replace the speedster's special teams reps.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: May not go on IR
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Chandler is expected to miss multiple weeks due to a broken thumb; however, no decision has been made about whether he will go on IR, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Chandler suffered the injury in his second-career game Sunday against the Bears. The rookie will certainly miss multiple weeks; however, the team's hesitancy to put him on IR could mean it doesn't believe he'll necessarily have to miss at least four games.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Impressive to close out preseason
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Chandler rushed five times for 44 yards and brought in his only target for one yard in the Vikings' 23-13 preseason loss to the Broncos on Saturday night.
The rookie fifth-round pick saw five carries for the third time in as many preseason games, and he finishes the exhibition slate with an ultra-efficient 7.5 yards per carry. The speedy Chandler currently slots behind Kene Nwangwu for the No. 3 running back job, but the North Carolina product may have surpassed his teammate, who is projected to stick on the roster under any circumstance as a kickoff returner, with Saturday's effort.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Another strong preseason showing
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Chandler (ankle) had five carries for 19 yards, including a three-yard touchdown, in Saturday's loss to San Francisco.
Chandler missed practice time last week due to a sore ankle, but it doesn't look like anything to worry about. He had a second solid performance which will keep him in the mix for the No. 3 running back role with Kene Nwangwu.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Strong preseason debut
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Chandler rushed five times for 50 yards in Sunday's 26-20 preseason loss to the Raiders.
Chandler made an impressive debut by tearing through the Raiders' backup defense (key starters were healthy scratches). The results are impressive nonetheless, as the rookie fifth-rounder posted an productive final season at North Carolina in 2021 (182 carries for 1,092 yards and 13 touchdowns). The Vikings have one of the more stacked running back rooms in the league, so Chandler could find himself on the practice squad to begin the season if he can't leapfrog Kene Nwangwu, who also stood out Sunday. Both young backs will get another chance to compete when Minnesota takes on the 49ers on Saturday.
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Vikings' Ty Chandler: Joins crowded Minnesota backfield
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The Vikings selected Chandler in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 169th overall.
Chandler was the No. 5 running back coming out of high school in 2017, and he enjoyed four productive seasons at Tennessee, leading the team in rushing in 2018 and 2019. He took his game to the next level in his final year of eligibility, as he transferred to North Carolina and rushed 182 times for 1,092 yards (6.0 YPC) and caught 15 passes (17 targets) for 216 yards and a touchdown. Chandler doesn't create a ton of yards on his own, but he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash and has the tools to succeed in the right situation. Unfortunately, he'll need to wait his turn in Minnesota, as superstar Dalvin Cook is the clear lead back while backups Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu have both showed promise.
