Vikings Player Pissed at Packers

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.

Last year, it was Kerby Joseph of the Detroit Lions.

Vikings Player Pissed at Packers

This go-round, a Green Bay Packers tight end is the object of the Vikings’ ire, at least according to outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard.

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

Packers tight end Tucker Kraft went for the knees of EDGE defender Patrick Jones II on Sunday, producing a low blow that looked horrid in the moment. Most fans feared the worst for Jones II, a fourth-year pass rusher on the Vikings’ roster.

And fans weren’t alone in the discontent. Greenard tweeted about Kraft’s block after Minnesota’s win over Green Bay: “Dude motioned from 30 yards away to STILL cut him. Pathetic. Be a man block up high. NFL get rid of this block PLEASE.”

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis tweeted Monday, “Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said MIN got ‘really positive’ news on Pat Jones II. KOC said he’ll have the chance to get ready for Sunday night against the Lions.”

Jones II has logged 24 quarterback pressures in 2024 and 7 sacks. He’s one of Minnesota’s somewhat unforeseen contributors this year, his fourth season with the Vikings. In fact, Jones II and his counterparts, Andrew Van Ginkel and the aforementioned Greenard, have played “too well” that rookie EDGE Dallas Turner has experienced less defensive action.

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If Jones doesn’t play this Sunday, encountering a setback during practice this week, Minnesota would presumably hand the baton to the aforementioned Turner. The 21-year-old has notched 2 sacks and an interception in the last three games and appears to have hit his groove with a little bit of playing time.

Around the same time last year, Lions safety Kerby Joseph tackled tight end T.J. Hockenson at the knees, tearing his ACL and causing Hockenson to miss the remainder of 2023 and the first eight weeks of 2024. Because of gridiron PTSD, fans expected the worst for Jones II, but this story should have a happier ending.

Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images.

It’s also worth noting that Kraft doesn’t necessarily have a dirty reputation.

The Vikings play the Lions this Sunday night for all the regular season marbles, with the No. 1 seed, the NFC North, and homefield advantage throughout the postseason on the line. Minnesota hasn’t earned the No. 1 seed since 1998.

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images.

Jones II is considered questionable early in the week, and fans will monitor injury reports for his prognosis.

The 2024 Vikings swept Green Bay in a season when the Packers featured their starting quarterback for the first time since 2009.

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, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.