Blake Brandel wants to help the Vikings however he can, even if it means switching positions.

Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune wrote Brandel is one willing and experienced option to fill in at left tackle for Christian Darrisaw, who suffered season-ending ACL and MCL injuries Thursday.

"I'll do whatever," Brandel said after practice. "I'm here for the team. Whatever is asked of me, I'll do."

Brandel popped in training camp as a player to watch and has started all seven games this season at left guard. He played 163 snaps, mostly as a backup, at right guard in 2023, but also has edge experience.

In 2022, Brandel started three games in place of Darrisaw at left tackle and fared OK. He also flanked the left side in 39 of 48 career games at Oregon State and was a two-time All-Pac-12 Second-Team selection. Although Brandel has focused on learning guard the past two years, he has a great background at tackle.

"There's things that translate from every position," Brandel said. "But at the same time, there's things that are different. At tackle, you get out there and there's more space, whereas at guard things happen a little bit quicker. Having experience at both positions, I think there's things that are easier at one position than the other and there's things that are harder. So, just fine-tuning all that stuff, and we'll see."

When Darrisaw was injured last Thursday the Vikings turned to veteran David Quessenberry, who has filled in at left and right tackle since joining Minnesota in 2023. There's been some speculation that Quessenberry could remain the team's swing tackle if the Vikings opt to move Brandel to left tackle and activate Dalton Risner at left guard. Risner is in his 21-day evaluation window, and a corresponding roster move would be required.

Krammer shared the latest on another Vikings player wanting to help (more): Jordan Addison.

As far as pass distribution, there is superstar Justin Jefferson (a team-high 60 targets) and everybody else. Four players, including Addison, have 20 to 25 targets. Addison has caught 14 of 23 targets for 231 yards and a touchdown while missing two games because of an ankle injury.

Addison, the No. 23 overall pick in 2023, is searching for his first game of more than three catches this year – he notched four-plus 10 times as a rookie – and received a season-low three targets at Los Angeles.

But he's not fretting about it.

Addison shared Monday at his locker that he has no problem with his role and only wishes he was doing more to help the team. He said he's looking forward to a good performance on Sunday Night Football.

For context, Krammer harked back to recent insight from Jefferson regarding his support for Addison.

"Every single day, I try to build that relationship more and more," Jefferson said last week. "He's still young. He's still kind of getting comfortable with the system and everything. ... Just talking to him throughout the game, making sure he's still in the game mentally. He didn't get that many touches and targets [against the Detroit Lions], so throughout the game just talking to him and making sure he's still in the game, high spirits, because we need him. He's definitely a guy to give us a spark and make a play downfield."

Reunion game on the way

Sunday Night Football is a quasi-homecoming for Vikings Vice President of Content and Production Bryan Harper.

"When I was growing up, the Colts were my favorite team," Harper told Treasure Washington of the Evansville Courier & Press this week. "So it's a little weird (that) deep down I have that affinity for the Colts, but of course, my team is the Vikings now. So I'm rooting for them 100% of the way."

Harper, a native of Evansville, Indiana, is in his 21^st season with the organization. His path in professional sports included stops with the Columbus Crew, Pittsburgh Pirates, NASCAR and Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, he oversees the Vikings Entertainment Network, which houses the club's television, radio, website and in-stadium programming initiatives, chronicling stories of the franchise along with its performance.

His excitement is real for Minnesota's first prime-time game at home this year; he said to Washington: "We love night games and what we can do in our building to kind of create that home-field advantage."

On Tuesday, Washington wrote about Harper’s roots in the Midwest and contributions to the Vikings.

He's witnessed the Minneapolis Miracle and Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen set franchise records. He's also traveled with the Vikings to London, including earlier this season against the New York Jets, and saw the largest comeback in NFL history take place against his hometown team, the Indianapolis Colts.

If Harper had his way early in his career, his present scenery might be different.

Originally, he was focused on basketball. He assisted former University of Southern Indiana basketball coach Bruce Pearl (head coach at Auburn now) and aspired to work for the Indiana Pacers out of college.

One opportunity led to the next, and his goals ultimately changed.

"When I got to the NFL, I experienced the feeling of a game day and how popular that sport is. I kind of fell in love with it and knew that's where I wanted to be," Harper said to Washington, adding things happen for a reason. "Working in team sports, it just has a little extra that you don't get anywhere else."

Harper's tenure in Purple is full of achievement: He helped in construction of one of the league's best venues and training facilities and has grown game-day traditions such as the SKOL Chant and sounding of the Gjallarhorn.

He's most fond, though, of the bonds that have been born in 21 seasons as part of the Vikings.

"Relationships are everything," Harper said. "Whenever my time is done, that's what I'm going to miss the most is the people. We've been blessed with some amazing folks here in Minnesota on the business and football side. Those are relationships that will last for the rest of my life."