For Gavin Bartholomew, opportunity arrived the hard way — on the back of a teammate's misfortune.
Josh Oliver, the San Jose State tight end who had carved out a starting role with the Minnesota Vikings, tore his biceps during the team's Week 3 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. Head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the injury at his Monday press conference, ending any hope of a quick return. Oliver is done for the season.
That reality shifts the spotlight squarely onto Bartholomew, another Spartan, who is now positioned to absorb a significantly expanded role in Minnesota's tight end room. According to Sports Illustrated's analysis of the Vikings' depth chart, Bartholomew is the natural heir to Oliver's snaps — a development that could represent the biggest moment yet in the young tight end's professional career.
A Thin Room Under Pressure
The Vikings were already navigating offensive turbulence heading into Week 4. Justin Jefferson exited the Buccaneers game early with an ankle issue, leaving Minnesota's pass-catching corps shorthanded at multiple positions simultaneously. Losing Oliver — who contributed both as a receiver and a blocker — compounded what has become a genuine roster concern.
Minnesota's tight end depth behind Bartholomew is thin enough that Sports Illustrated floated three veteran free-agent options the team could target for reinforcement. The Vikings also signed linebacker Kyle Van Noy and quarterback Max Brosmer from the practice squad to the active roster that same week, signaling an active front office responding to mounting injury pressure — though no veteran tight end addition was confirmed in the reporting period.
Vikings fans addressed the gap in a Week 4 mailbag with Sports Illustrated, raising Oliver's absence as one of the team's most pressing concerns heading into the stretch. The answers weren't particularly reassuring: Bartholomew is the answer Minnesota has, and the coaching staff will have to scheme around his developing skill set.
The Spartan Connection
San Jose State doesn't churn out NFL starters at a high volume, which makes this moment notable for the program. Two Spartans — Oliver and Bartholomew — landed on the same NFL depth chart, and now one is being asked to fill the other's shoes under real game pressure. It's an unusual and bittersweet circumstance for the SJSU alumni base.
Bartholomew's ability to step into a three-down role — handling in-line blocking duties while also functioning as a credible receiving threat — will be tested quickly. The Vikings' schedule doesn't pause for developmental timelines.
Elsewhere among active Spartan alumni, Viliami Fehoko Jr. was suited up for the 49ers in their Week 3 matchup against the Cardinals, a 36-30 San Francisco victory, though no individual stats for Fehoko Jr. were recorded.
The rest of the SJSU contingent — Andre Chachere (Cardinals), Wes Schweitzer (Jets), David Quessenberry (Rams), and others — logged quiet weeks without notable headlines.
The story this week belongs to Bartholomew. Whether he seizes it is what the next several Sundays are for.
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