For 3 straight weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have began a unique cornerback due to accidents.
Final week towards New England, Duke Shelley was pressed into motion when Andrew Sales space Jr. was held out with a knee damage. Sales space began one recreation instead of fellow rookie Akayleb Evans however then received harm. And Evans received his shot when Cameron Dantzler Sr. went on injured reserve.
Sales space will miss the remainder of the season after having surgical procedure to restore a torn meniscus, however Minnesota is hoping the turnover on the place reverse veteran Patrick Peterson is generally over. Dantzler, who began the primary eight video games, is eligible to return subsequent week after recovering from an ankle damage.
Which means both Shelley or Evans might see taking part in time Sunday at residence towards the New York Jets.
The revolving door at cornerback has made an impression. Regardless of a 9-2 file and five-game lead within the NFC North, Minnesota has allowed essentially the most passing yards within the NFL (276.1 per recreation). The Vikings have allowed greater than 300 passing yards in every of the three video games with out Dantzler.
“The medical crew has been actually making an attempt to progress him off to the facet and ensure he is doing no matter he can to simulate completely different sorts of observe actions and in-game actions,” Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell stated of Dantzler. “So, after we do activate him, the hope is that it will be an activation and he’ll be capable of be on the market with us the next Sunday.”
Evans, a fourth-round rookie from Missouri, has missed the previous two video games whereas within the concussion protocol.
“He is in type of the ultimate section of it, which is full-speed observe after which simply ensuring he will get a full day of labor in, a padded observe, and see how he recovers and if we are able to transfer ahead with him,” O’Connell stated.
If Evans cannot play, Shelley is able to face the Jets and quarterback Mike White, who threw for 315 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions final week in a 31-10 win over Chicago.
“I positively embrace each matchup,” Shelley stated. “I like me versus anyone. It would not matter who it’s. I will wager on myself anytime. That is why all people was questioning why I went as much as press on third downs. I would like the ball to come back my approach. I need to make the play. So, it is type of my mentality.”
Sales space, a second-round select of Clemson, performed defensive snaps in simply two video games earlier than his season ended. O’Connell stated the rookie opted for a full restore of his meniscus, which is best for his long-term well being.
With Sales space out, Minnesota has obtained little manufacturing from its prime two draft picks. Security Lewis Cine, a first-round decide, performed in simply three video games and had two defensive snaps earlier than struggling a damaged leg.
“You hate to see it since you see a few of them guys, proficient guys, particularly younger guys, you do not need them guys to lose their confidence, issues like that,” Shelley stated. “Attempt to keep behind them and uplift them as a lot as you possibly can, allow them to know that you just’re right here for them and the whole lot’s going to be all proper.”