The Minnesota Vikings return from a late bye week second within the NFC North and with renewed religion in quarterback Joshua Dobbs after a disappointing two-game slide.
Whereas different groups have closed in on the Vikings throughout their off week, two-time Professional Bowler and former Minnesota tight finish Kyle Rudolph believes the return of Justin Jefferson might assist flip issues round within the Vikings’ last stretch of the season.
Joshua Dobbs (15) of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates scoring a speeding landing in opposition to the New Orleans Saints in the course of the second quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium Nov. 12, 2023, in Minneapolis. (Adam Bettcher/Getty Photos)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell informed reporters Wednesday Dobbs would begin Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders regardless of committing six turnovers within the final two video games. He mentioned the time without work allowed them to guage Dobbs and the offense for the week forward, however he added it was not a dedication to Dobbs by means of the remainder of the season.
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Star wideout Justin Jefferson can be anticipated to make his return Sunday, greater than every week after being activated to the roster. It’s an addition that would assist the Vikings seal a playoff spot.
“If the season ended this previous week and the wild-card spherical was this Saturday, the Vikings can be taking part in,” Rudolph informed Fox Information Digital in an interview Wednesday.
“I believe if there’s something that will make Josh Dobbs extra snug because the quarterback, it will be having Justin Jefferson on the market alongside him.”
Dwight Lowery (20) of the San Diego Chargers tackles Kyle Rudolph (82) of the Minnesota Vikings in the course of the second quarter of a recreation Aug. 28, 2016, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. (Hannah Foslien/Getty Photos)
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Rudolph, who performed 12 years in the NFL earlier than formally retiring as a Viking in September, informed Fox Information Digital Jefferson’s return might function a morale booster for extra than simply the offense.
“I believe that would supply an enormous enhance for not simply the offense. You recognize, the offense is straight away higher when Justin Jefferson is on the sector, however simply the general pleasure for the entire workforce,” Rudolph mentioned.
“It’s going to make the protection higher. It’s going to make particular groups higher. Guys will simply be so excited to have him again on the market on the sector. I really feel prefer it might be an excellent carry for them as they head down this last stretch of the season, making that push for a playoff spot.”
Minnesota Vikings vast receiver Justin Jefferson catches a landing go in opposition to the Carolina Panthers in the course of the second half of a recreation Oct. 1, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photograph/Rusty Jones)
With uncertainty surrounding the quarterback scenario in Minnesota, the group should cope with much more questions with Kirk Cousins’ contract expiring on the finish of the season.
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His season-ending Achillies damage from late October complicates that matter additional.
“I believe that’s one thing that the market will determine within the low season,” Rudolph mentioned of the chance of Cousins’ return subsequent season. “You’re a pocket passing quarterback who has had a ton of success with that fashion.”
As Rudolph explains, the choice is extra targeted on the way forward for the group versus Cousins’ capability to totally get well.
“I’m a agency believer in medication in the present day and getting him to a degree the place actually he can come again and play at a excessive degree. I simply imagine that, at what worth level would the Vikings be snug? As a result of, you already know, I discussed Justin Jefferson. He’s a man who wants a brand new contract,” Rudolph mentioned.
“You recognize, the place are they going to go? What course are they going to go in? Not solely is Kirk older and coming off an Achilles tear, however, you already know, he’s coming near the top of his profession. So, at what level do you determine the place we’re going to deal with that place and search for somebody extra suited to the long run? Or is Kirk a man that we are able to get again at a worth that we’re snug with to proceed to construct round these guys and attempt to make one other run at it?”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) walks off the sector after getting sacked in the course of the second half of a recreation in opposition to the Los Angeles Chargers Sept. 24, 2023, in Minneapolis. (AP Photograph/Bruce Kluckhohn)
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For now, O’Connell is taking a week-by-week strategy, he informed reporters Wednesday.
The Vikings journey to Las Vegas Sunday to face an equally rested Raiders workforce coming off a bye week.
A two-time Professional Bowl tight finish, Rudolph performed with the Vikings from 2011-2020. The next season he signed with the New York Giants and performed his last 12 months within the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.
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