Minnesota Vikings: Training Camp De Ja Vu? Is it Time to Panic Yet?

In the last few seasons, the Minnesota Vikings have started week one short handed at some positions. Is this year gearing up to be similar in that sense?

After watching the Minnesota Vikings offensive line play last year, almost everyone was hoping for an upgrade this year. This was the main weak point on our offense and should have been the main focus for the front office and coaching staff.

On Sunday’s practice, the Vikings put together one of their worst practices of yet. So much so that Head Coach Mike Zimmer shut the practice down 40 minutes early and told the guys that they needed to take Monday off and come back ready to play better Tuesday.

First off, third year quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was in pads but not throwing due to his mystery injury of shoulder soreness. Zimmer has said he is not worried in the least bit about Bridgewater’s shoulder, but if he went down, our season would be in a very different place. In most ways, our season success rests on Bridgewater’s shoulders, no pun intended.

Also during yesterday’s practice, left tackle Matt Kalil left with an apparent leg injury. Although most have not been happy with his play, it would be devastating to loose him. Who knows how serious it is. When dealing with lower body injuries on players of that size, it is always scary. T.J. Clemmings replaced Kalil for the rest of the practice.

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Starting this season there was a lot of talk about how much offensive line depth the team had. After Loadholt’s retirement, injuries to Fusco, Kalil, and Harris, things look a lot different.

We also lost cornerback Xavier Rhodes during last weeks preseason game due to a hamstring injury. He did not participate in practice and there has been no update on his status. The Vikings have decent depth in their secondary, but the loss of Rhodes could be significant.

Is it time to panic yet?

The coaching staff and front office made changes to improve the offensive line this offseason, but will it work out? The interior of the line should be improved. Adding Alex Boone on the left side should be an improvement. Pushing Fusco back to his preferred spot of right guard will be an improvement also. Starting Andre Smith at right tackle should be a nice improvement over last year’s T.J. Clemmings rookie season.

Last year this team had success with one of the worst lines in football. They have made some improvements and added a new coach in Tony Sparano. Loosing Kalil would take away from some of the improvement this line should make, but hopefully his injury is not serious.

Hopefully these guys do not have serious injuries. Most of the fanbase is still wondering about the potential this offense could have with steady line play. More time for Teddy Bridgewater, and more holes for Adrian Peterson.

Next: Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Preseason Review

We will keep you updated on the injury report for the Minnesota Vikings, and hope that the list gets smaller.

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