Minnesota Vikings 53-man Roster

While injuries have ripped through the league, the Minnesota Vikings have managed to dodge those of the long-term variety. Running back Dalvin Cook has missed about 2.5 of the last three games with an ankle injury. Hopefully, he’s on the mend. Defensive tackle Michael Pierce is dealing with an elbow injury. Hopefully, he’s on the mend. With relative good health, the Vikings roster hasn’t changed much since the start of the season. For the first few games, quarterback Sean Mannion and running back Ameer Abdullah did the weekly boomerang between the active roster and practice squad. Both are now firmly on the active roster. The Vikings roster hasn’t needed anything more than the usual practice squad tweaks. Hopefully, that continues.

Early last week, ornerbacks Cameron Dantzler and Harrison Hand were placed on the COVID list. It came at an especially unfortunate time for Dantzler. In Week 4, he probably played his way back into the starting lineup. Next day, he tested positive for COVID. One step forward. Two steps back. It feels like it’s been that way for Dantzler since his rookie season. Starting or not, the Vikings need both cornerbacks. Fortunately, Dantzler was activated yesterday. His quest to start opposite Patrick Peterson begins again. 

Veteran tight end Luke Stocker was signed to the practice squad this week. He was a fourth-round pick out of Tennessee by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was a solid player for the Buccaneers from 2011-17. He was with the Tennessee Titans from 2017-18 and Atlanta Falcons from 2019-20. He was on the Titans practice squad earlier this season. At 33, Stocker is now the most senior offensive player on the Vikings roster. 

I hope that rookie running back Kene Nwangwu is ready for game action soon. With his blazing speed, he was one of the new players I was most interested in seeing in the preseason. Before he had a chance to show that speed, he was taken off the field. Nwangwu suffered a knee injury early in the first preseason game. Fortunately, it was an injury that needed rest and rehab over surgery. His stay on injured reserve was expected to be brief and was designated for return. He’s nearing that return. A peppering of Nwangwu could spice up the Vikings offense. 

The Vikings ran with a 23:27 offense:defense split to start the season. That disparity was a surprise. It’s crept closer to even with the current 24:26. That should probably be expected for a Mike Zimmer-led team. Perhaps the eventual activation of Nwangwu will bring offense:defense balance. 

Minnesota Vikings Roster

Offense (24 Players)

Quarterbacks (3)

  8 Kirk Cousins

14 Sean Mannion

11 Kellen Mond

Running Backs (3)

33 Dalvin Cook
25 Alexander Mattison

31 Ameer Abdullah

Fullbacks (1)

30 C.J. Ham

Receivers (6)
19 Adam Thielen
18 Justin Jefferson

17 K.J. Osborn

12 DeDe Westbrook

15 Ihmir Smith-Marsette 

85 Dan Chisena

Tight Ends (3)
83 Tyler Conklin

89 Chris Herndon

82 Ben Ellefson

Offensive Tackles (3)
75 Brian O'Neill

71 Christian Darrisaw
69 Rashod Hill

64 Blake Brandel

Guards (3)

72 Ezra Cleveland

74 Oli Udoh

51 Wyatt Davis

Centers (2)

56 Garrett Bradbury

52 Mason Cole

Defense (26 Players)

Defensive Ends (5)
99 Danielle Hunter

98 D.J. Wonnum

97 Everson Griffen

91 Stephen Weatherly

93 Patrick Jones II

Defensive Tackles (5)

94 Dalvin Tomlinson

58 Michael Pierce

90 Sheldon Richardson

96 Armon Watts
92 James Lynch

Linebackers (7)
55 Anthony Barr

54 Eric Kendricks
59 Nick Vigil

45 Troy Dye

48 Blake Lynch

41 Chazz Surratt

57 Ryan Connelly

Cornerbacks (5)

  7 Patrick Peterson

24 Mackensie Alexander

21 Bashaud Breeland

27 Cameron Dantzler

29 Kris Boyd

Safeties (4)

22 Harrison Smith
23 Xavier Woods

43 Camryn Bynum

44 Josh Metellus

Special Teams (3 Players)

Kicker

  1 Greg Joseph

Punter
 3 Jordan Berry

Long Snapper
42 Andrew DePaola

***

Practice Squad

34 Jake Bargas, FB

47 Tuf Borland, LB

64 Blake Brandel, OT

40 Zach Davidson, TE

86 Brandon Dillon, TE

46 Myles Dorn, S

78 Dakota Dozier, OG

68 Kyle Hinton, OG

  9 Trishton Jackson, WR

87 Myron Mitchell, WR

39 Parry Nickerson, CB

36 A.J Rose Jr., RB

50 T.J. Smith, DT

  5 Tye Smith, CB

35 Luke Stocker, TE

79 Kenny Willekes, DE

Reserve/Injured: Designated for Return

26 Kene Nwangwu

Reserve/Injured

12 Chad Beebe

81 Olabisi Johnson

95 Janarius Robinson

13 Blake Proehl

84 Irv Smith Jr.

66 Jordon Scott

14 Nate Stanley

Reserve/Non-Football Injury

76 Jaylen Twyman

Reserve/COVID

20 Harrison Hand

Week 5 All-Injured Team

In his weekly Football Morning In America column, Peter King put together a Week 5 All-Injured Team. It’s a startling look at the current injury situation in the NFL. With the league’s decision-makers firmly set on forcing teams to play games on two days rest and expanding the season to 17 games, with eager eyes on 18, a flood of injured stars will be the norm. There’s always more players. That’s been the owners mantra since 1920. 

Week 5 All-Injured Team

Offense

Quarterback

Russell Wilson (finger surgery), Seattle

Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey (hamstring), Carolina

David Montgomery (knee), Chicago

J.K. Dobbins (knee), Baltimore

Receivers

Michael Thomas (ankle), New Orleans

Julio Jones (hamstring), Tennessee

Jarvis Landry (knee), Cleveland

D.J. Chark (ankle), Jacksonville

Tight Ends

Rob Gronkowski (ribs), Tampa Bay

George Kittle (calf), San Francisco

Tackles

David Bakhtiari (ACL), Green Bay

Terron Armstead (elbow), New Orleans

Trent Brown (calf), New England

Guards

Quenton Nelson (ankle), Indianapolis 

Brandon Scherff (knee), Washington

Shaq Mason (abdomen), New England

Center

Frank Ragnow (toe), Detroit

Defense

Defensive Line

DeMarcus Lawrence (foot), Dallas

Brandon Graham (knee), Philadelphia 

Carl Lawson (Achilles), New York Jets

Stephon Tuitt (knee), Pittsburgh

Marcus Davenport (pectoral), New Orleans

Akiem Hicks (groin), Chicago

Linebackers

Shaq Thompson (neck), Carolina

Za’Darius Smith (back), Green Bay

Kenneth Murray (ankle), Los Angeles Chargers

Blake Martinez (knee), New York Giants

Bud Dupree (knee), Tennessee

Safeties

Marcus Maye (ankle), New York Jets

Antoine Winfield Jr. (concussion), Tampa Bay

Lamarcus Joyner (triceps), New York Jets

Cornerbacks

Jaire Alexander (shoulder), Green Bay

Marcus Peters (knee), Baltimore

Jason Verrett (knee), San Francisco

Jeff Okudah (Achilles), Detroit

Special Teams

Punter

Brett Kern (groin), Tennessee

Kicker

Wil Lutz (core muscle), New Orleans

Kick Returner

Jalen Richard (foot), Las Vegas

Special Teams

L.J. Fort (knee), Baltimore

Long Snapper

Zach Triner (finger), Tampa Bay

***

That’s a startling team. I’ve seen All-Pro teams with comparable talent. 

I’d love to get that offensive line healthy and put it in front of Kirk Cousins. 

Green Bay (David Bakhtiari, Za’Darius Smith, and Jaire Alexander), New Orleans (Michael Thomas, Terron Armstead, and Marcus Davenport, Wil Lutz), and Baltimore (J.K Dobbins, Marcus Peters, and L.J. Fort) have been especially hard hit by injuries. 

According to King’s team, the Minnesota Vikings have dodged injuries. I’m not so sure about that. An ankle injury kept Dalvin Cook out of Week 5. Through five games, he’s missed as much time as he’s played. I’d also find room on this team for tight end Irv Smith Jr. Just before the start of the season, surgery to repair a meniscus injury took him from the team for the season. 

Injuries will always be an unfortunate part of football. Peter King’s Week 5 All-Injured Team shows that teams have been especially hard hit this year. As the league’s decision-makers continue to put greater demands on the players this injury trend will likely continue. There’s always more players. 

Minnesota Vikings Week 5 Superlatives

The Minnesota Vikings outlasted the Detroit Lions in Week 5 for their second win of the season. Yay. Here are the Vikings Week 5 Superlatives. 

Offensive Player of the Week

The Vikings had two offensive players put up nice numbers. 

Alexander Mattison

25 carries, 113 yards

7 receptions, 40 yards, TD (15 yards)

1 big fumble

Justin Jefferson

7 catches, 124 yards

The pick:

Justin Jefferson

Part of the reason for tapping Jefferson is for what could’ve been. He did whatever he wanted against the Lions secondary. He had 100 receiving yards before half time. He would’ve had 200 yards, he could’ve had 300 yards if the Vikings had taken full advantage of the advantage that he had. This game was decided by a last second field goal because of an offensive strategy that looked designed to keep scoring down. 

Defensive Player of the Week

The Vikings defense is playing better, more together each week. As Anthony Barr shakes off more than a year of rust, that should continue. There are a few contenders for defensive player of the week. Eric Kendricks was everywhere and had a sparkling, one-handed interception. Danielle Hunter has been a pass-rushing beast all season. He added another sack against the Lions. D.J. Wonnum had his first sack of the season. Patrick Peterson was terrific in coverage. Again. The choice is actually an easy one. Everson Griffen. In his first start of the season he had two sacks. The first forced a fumble that was recovered by James Lynch. The play put an end to a Lions drive and gave the offense a possession that led to a field goal. Until the frantic final minutes, Griffen’s sack-fumble felt like a turning point in the game. 

Special Teams Player of the Week

This one’s easy. 

Greg Joseph. He missed a 49-yarder that might’ve iced the game with just over three minutes to play. That wasn’t great. The four field goals that he did make (38, 38, 55, 54) were great. His 54-yarder with zeroes on the clock were the deciding points in the 19-17 win. Joseph has been perfect (5/5) this season from over 50 yards. He needs to kick the shorter ones at the same rate. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Power Rankings

Week 5 of the 2021 NFL season is in the books. Here’s a look at how the 32 teams rank after only five games.

1.   Arizona Cardinals (5-0)

2.   Buffalo Bills (4-1)

3.   Los Angeles Rams (4-1)

4.   Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-1)

5.   Los Angeles Chargers (4-1)

6.   Kansas City Chiefs (2-3)

7.   Green Bay Packers (4-1)

8.   Dallas Cowboys (4-1)

9.   Baltimore Ravens (4-1)

10. Cleveland Browns (3-2)

11. Minnesota Vikings (2-3)

12. Carolina Panthers (3-2)

13. San Francisco 49ers (2-3)

14. New Orleans Saints (3-2)

15. Tennessee Titans (3-2)

16. Cincinnati Bengals (3-2)

17. Las Vegas Raiders (3-2)

18. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-3)

19. Denver Broncos (3-2)

20. Chicago Bears (3–2)

21. New England Patriots (2-3)

22. Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)

23. Indianapolis Colts (1-4)

24. Miami Dolphins (1-4)

25. Washington Football Team (2-3)

26. Seattle Seahawks (2-3)

27. Atlanta Falcons (2-3)

28. New York Giants (1-4)

29. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5)

30. Detroit Lions (0-5)

31. New York Jets (1-4)

32. Houston Texans (1-4)

Until next week. 

Vikings-Lions

It’s a win. It’s a win. It’s a win.

The Minnesota Vikings needed a final-second, 54-yard field goal to beat the Detroit Lions, 19-17. 

It shouldn’t have been that difficult. 

It felt like the Vikings were toying with the Lions in the first half. The Vikings scored on three of their four first half possessions. Only the clock kept them from scoring on their final possession. The Lions couldn’t stop the Vikings from scoring. Unfortunately, those successful possessions resulted in only 13 points. It could’ve been more. It should’ve been more. 13-6 at the half. Something like 21-6 is more like what it coulda/shoulda been. 

It felt like the game was over with just under four minutes to play. After back-to-back sacks of Jared Goff, the Vikings forced a turn over on downs at the Detroit 34-yard line. It’s 16-6 with 3:39 to play. Just run the clock and close out the damn game. Easy. The Vikings haven’t done anything easy this year. Instead of easy, they ran 22 seconds off the clock, gained three yards, and missed a field goal. 

Over the next couple minutes of game time just about everything that the Lions needed to happen happened. 

Lions field goal

Vikings fumble

Lions touchdown

Lions two-point conversion.

With 3:17 to play, the score was 16-6 Vikings.

With 0:37 to play, the score was 17-16 Lions

Incredible.

Fortunately, the Vikings still had 37 seconds and a couple timeouts. 

Adam Thielen’s first two catches of the game came over those final 37 seconds. The first was 21 yards. The second was for 19 yards. The second catch put the ball at the Lions 36-yard line. 

It was Greg Joseph time. 

Joseph has been terrific from over 50 yards this season. He missed what should’ve been a 37-yard game-winner against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. He missed a 49-yarder that could’ve iced this game. Over 50? Joseph’s been terrific. He’s yet to miss. His 54-yarder with zeroes on the clock won the game. It was a shocking turn for the Lions. They clearly thought that they’d secured their first win of the season with the bold two-point conversion. Unfortunately for the Lions, 37 seconds were still on the clock. 

For the game, Joseph made four of five field goal attempts. He was far too busy. 

It shouldn’t have been that difficult. 

From my spot on a couch, I’m of the opinion that the Vikings toss the offensive game plan for this game. It felt and often looked conservative. Too conservative. Far too conservative. It looked like it was scripted to create a game like they got. It was a game of suppressed scoring and a running clock. Until the frantic final three minutes, the game was on schedule to finish in just over 2.5 hours. With Dalvin Cook ruled out, Alexander Mattison ended with a nice rushing game. 25 carries, 113 yards. A 48-yard third quarter burst helped those numbers. Play after play, Mattison banged into the middle of the line. He got through a few times. More often he was stopped for short gains or no gain. The offensive star of the game for the Vikings was Justin Jefferson. He was well on his way to a 200-yard game. He passed 100 yards with over four minutes to play in the first half. He gained about twenty yards over the final 34 minutes. He was taking apart every Lion in front of him. He had seven catches on eight targets. He should’ve had twice the number of targets. Thielen had three targets for the game. Two of those were on the final drive. Why? The Vikings had a passing game mismatch with the Lions. The most decided advantage in this game was the Vikings receivers against the Lions defensive backs. The Vikings never took advantage of this mismatch. If the plan was for a game with suppressed scoring, they sure got it. Thankfully, it still resulted in a win. That’s the objective. The only objective. 

It didn’t have to be that way. It didn’t have to be so damaging to my general well-being. 

Maybe this unnecessarily difficult game against the Lions will be a good thing. At critical moments in each of their three losses, the Vikings have had things not go their way. A ruled overtime fumble in Week 1. A missed final field goal in Week 2. A failed final drive in Week 4. Yesterday, everything went the Lions way over the final few moments. A missed field goal? A fumble? A failed final drive? Sound familiar? The Vikings were down to a final drive. 37 seconds. 82 yards. Two timeouts. Instead of falling, they fought. They did what needed to be done. They fought for this win. It wasn’t pretty but they won. 

Other than Jefferson, the offensive highlight for me might’ve been the debut of Christian Darrisaw at left tackle. Rashod Hill got the start but the rookie got a few drives to get a taste of the NFL game. Mike Zimmer said during the postgame press that peppering Darrisaw into a few possessions was the pregame plan. Easing him into the lineup is more about preparation than conditioning. He’s only been a full participant in about 12 practices. It’s always astonishing to me how little players practice in today’s NFL.  I’m guessing that this peppering plan for Darrisaw will continue in next week’s game against the Carolina Panthers. The Vikings have a Week 7 bye. Perhaps Darrisaw’s first NFL start will be Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. The sooner the left tackle position is his the better. 

Welcome back Anthony Barr. 

It’s a win. The Vikings now have an eight-game winning streak against the Lions. If my memory is accurate, none of the eight was easy or normal. The Lions have had their struggles but they are rarely an easy out for the Vikings.

It’s a win. The Vikings are now 2-3. A road game against the Carolina Panthers is next. 

Flea Flicker Week 5 Predictions

 Here are some guesses at the Week 5 games. 

Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Vikings

The Vikings must win this game.

New York Jets @ Atlanta Falcons

Pick: Falcons

The Falcons “host” the Jets in London. 

Green Bay Packers @ Cincinnati Bengals

Pick: Packers

I’d like to pick the Bengals. I can’t pick the Bengals.

Denver Broncos @ Pittsburgh Steelers 

Pick: Broncos

It’s amazing that the Steelers lone win was against the Buffalo Bills.

Miami Dolphins @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Pick: Buccaneers

There’s no overthinking this one.

New Orleans Saints @ Washington Football Team

Pick: Saints

I’m not sure what to think about either team.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Carolina Panthers

Pick: Panthers

If Christian McCaffrey is on the field and stays on the field, I think that the Panthers win. 

Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars

Pick: Titans

The Jaguars showed some life last week. Then the drama started. It’ll be tough to pick them any week. 

New England Patriots @ Houston Texans

Pick: Patriots

If the Patriots play like they did against the Buccaneers, they should cruise through this game. 

Chicago Bears @ Las Vegas Raiders

Pick: Raiders

The Raiders looked like undefeated posers in the first half against the Chargers. They kinda came to life in the second half. If the Raiders are anywhere near the team they think they are, the Bears shouldn’t be a problem.

Cleveland Browns @ Los Angeles Chargers

Pick: Chargers

If this game comes down to the quarterbacks, Justin Herbert is playing much better than Baker Mayfield. 

New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys

Pick: Giants

Just a hunch.

San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Cardinals

Right now, there’s really no reason to pick against Kyler Murray.

Buffalo Bills @ Kansas City Chiefs

Pick: Chiefs

The Chiefs need this game much more than the Bills.

Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens haven’t been playing great but they are playing much better than the Colts. 

All-Time Detroit Lions Team

The Minnesota Vikings conclude their three-game homestand tomorrow against the Detroit Lions. It’s a little unusual for a team to have three consecutive games at home. But that’s not the purpose of this. This is a look at some of the great players in the fairly long history of the Detroit Lions. 

Offense

Quarterback 

Bobby Layne

Running Back

Barry Sanders

Fullback

Nick Pietrosante

Tailback

Dutch Clark

Dutch Clark must be on a Detroit Lions All-Time Team.

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson

Herman Moore

Tight End

Charlie Sanders

Tackles

Lou Creekmur

Lomas Brown

Guards

Ox Emerson

Dick Stanfel

Center

Alex Wojciechowicz

Defense

Defensive Ends

Al Baker

Robert Porcher

Defensive Tackles

Alex Karras

Roger Brown

Linebackers

Chris Spielman

Joe Schmidt

Wayne Walker

Cornerbacks

Dick “Night Train” Lane

Lem Barney

Safeties

Jack Christiansen

Yale Lary

Special Teams

Kicker

Jason Hanson

Punter

Yale Lary

Kick Returner

Mel Gray

Punt Returner

Jack Christiansen