Questions Answered: Life with a QB2 for Vikings, the New Hype, Full Strength Depth Chart
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the September 23rd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [emailĀ protected].
Questions Answered: Life with a QB2 for Vikings, the New Hype, Full Strength Depth Chart
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But weāll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: If Sam Darnold was hurt for the long haul, as it seemed for a few minutes on Sunday, would the team be sunk with Nick Mullens?
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Answer: Sunk? No. Reduced enthusiasm? Yes.
NFL NetworkāsĀ Tom Pelissero tweetedĀ Monday, āVikings QB Sam Darnoldās MRI revealed a knee bruise and no structural damage, per source.ā
Vikings loyalists wouldāve considered a sprain and subsequent absence of a game or two a win, so a bruise with no projected missing time is the absolute best-case scenario. Had Darnold missed Sundayās game and beyond, Minnesota wouldāve pivoted to QB2 Nick Mullens and hoped for the best.
Mullens did not play as efficiently in 2023 as Darnold has in 2024. However, the Vikingsā defense is absolutely cooking right now, whereas it died in 2023, the moment Mullens took over. Mullens likely wouldnāt have to play hero ball with a glorious Brian Flored-led defense by his side.
Meanwhile, Minnesota has embraced and implemented the ānext man upā strategy all season. For example, Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner, and Ivan Pace Jr. missed Week 3, and the purple team defeated Houston by 27 points.
It would be unfair to think Mullens would be totally different. Heād play just fine for this team. Just not quite as cleanly as Darnold.
Q: Are you totally buying into the Vikings hype at 3-0?
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
A: Yes.
According to oddsmakers, Minnesotaās playoff probability has climbed from 28% three weeks ago to 69% now.
The Vikingsā operation is humming on offense, defense, and special teams. If Sam Darnoldās reputation wasnāt attached to the QB1 section of the roster, Minnesota would be an honest-to-goodness Super Bowl contender.
Folks just need to see more Darnold to determine his long-term viability.
Q: Will Minnesota get all its guys back from the Packer game, like Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner, and Ivan Pace Jr.?
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports.
Answer: Itās trending that way.
Turner couldāve played Sunday if it were the playoffs, for example. He was held out of Week 3 as a precaution. Moreover, injuries for Addison and Pace Jr. arenāt severe.
Keep an eye on the injury report, but those three men should be back on Sunday at Lambeau Field.
Star Tribuneās Ben Goessling tweeted, āJordan Addison, Dallas Turner and Ivan Pace Jr. are day-to-day this week, though OāConnell said heās hopeful all three can play.ā
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, āThe Sopranos,ā Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.Ā
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
