Aug 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sean Mannion (14) hands off to running back Ty Chandler (32) during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings managed to defeat the Atlanta Falcons without any help from big names like Kirk Cousins, Christian Darrisaw, or Justin Jefferson.

The Vikings also endured more injuries on offense to players such as Jaren Hall, K.J. Osborn, and Cam Akers. Akers’ injury is the most notable as he suffered the second Achilles tear of his four-year NFL career.

Without Akers in the lineup, Minnesota is going to need another running back to take the load off Alexander Mattison, and according to OC Wes Phillips, those players will be young Vikings RBs Ty Chandler. and Kene Nwangwu.

Young Vikings Will Have to Step Up in Week 10

Phillips was asked on Tuesday about the Vikings running back situation heading into Week 10, and he responded with the following, “I think just naturally you’re gonna see more Ty Chandler. Kene has been a guy who was up for a game and has made plays for us both in the return game and then in the run game in the past, so we’ve got some options there and certainly feel good about those guys.”

Chandler was selected in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft after a strong collegiate career split between Tennessee and North Carolina. Throughout his five years in the two programs, he totaled 603 carries for 3138 yards and 26 TDs while also adding 73 receptions for 681 yards and 4 TDs in the passing game.

However, the young RB has not had nearly the same sort of workload during his career with the Vikings. During his rookie season, he had just 6 touches for 20 yards, and now in 2023, he has 13 touches for 85 yards.