5-0 Vikings host Colts in Week 7 after bye, with Jordan Mason back at practice
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The gist
The 5-0 Vikings return from their Week 6 bye to host the 2-4 Colts on Sunday.
Minnesota's defense has allowed six touchdowns in five games, and a tough stretch follows.
Background
The Minnesota Vikings are an NFL team and NFC North leaders who entered Week 7 at 5-0, coming off their bye week. Their defense, coordinated by Brian Flores, has 15 sacks and six interceptions and allowed opponents only six touchdowns through five games. The Indianapolis Colts are 2-4 and fired general manager Chris Ballard on Monday after that start. The matchup is drawing attention because it is the Vikings' first game back from the bye and because running back Jordan Mason, 27, is returning to practice after hand surgery.
How it unfolded
- Oct 19, 2026The Vikings announce running back Jordan Mason will return to practice in Week 7, opening a 21-day evaluation window before activation.
- Oct 19, 2026A team mailbag notes the 5-0 Vikings return from their Week 6 bye to host the Colts (2-4) at noon CT on Sunday, Oct. 25, trying to extend their NFL-leading win streak to 11 games.
- Oct 20, 2026The Vikings climb in Week 7 power rankings while on bye, including No. 4 (up 3) at NFL.com, No. 5 (up 2) at Yahoo! Sports and No. 3 (unchanged) at Bleacher Report.
- Oct 23, 2026A game preview lists alumni appearances outside U.S. Bank Stadium from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and the normal home uniform of purple helmets and jerseys with white pants.
- Oct 25, 2026The Vikings host the Colts in Week 7; CBS Minnesota reports a 12 p.m. kickoff at U.S. Bank Stadium, aired on WCCO-TV with a pregame show from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
- Oct 25, 2026Vikings vs. Colts inactives for Week 7 are published.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report calls the Vikings the most surprising team in the NFL, noting their defense is second in yards allowed and first in points allowed.
- Analysts
- Nick Shook of NFL.com writes that the Vikings' defense is elite and on a path toward claiming a place in history.
- Analysts
- Frank Schwab of Yahoo! Sports says Jordan Mason's return should come in Week 7, but that a four-game stretch after the Colts (at Lions, vs. Bills, at Packers, vs. 49ers in Mexico City) will define the season.
- Official
- Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores says the team's experience with Colts quarterback Daniel Jones was "nothing but positive" and that he has extra insight into what the Vikings do.
Still unverified
CBS Sports lists the Vikings as 6.5-point favorites for Week 7; the alumni appearance times are listed as subject to change.