Questions Answered: Ifeadi Odenigbo Available, Blizting Again, the Injury Report
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the December 21st edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. Today, we tackle Ifeadi Odenigbo hitting the open market after a stunning release by the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota’s Week 16 defense, and the early Vikings injury report. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Questions Answered: Ifeadi Odenigbo Available, Blizting Again, the Injury Report
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Q: Do you expect the Vikings to peek at Ifeadi Odenigbo after the Colts released him on Tuesday?
A: No.
The Vikings don’t give Patrick Jones enough snaps because Danielle Hunter and Za’Darius hog most of the workload — rightfully so — making an Odenigbo reunion unlikely. However, Odenigbo did play for the Cleveland Browns last year, which is where Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah worked in 2021.
And Odenigbo played marvelously last weekend against the Vikings, notching a blocked punt and sack. His release from Indianapolis was rather odd.
Still, don’t expect the Vikings to onboard Odenigbo, as there is no present need for an additional pass rusher.
Q: Will the Vikings blitz the Giants this weekend, as it seemed to work against the Colts?
A: Yes.
After the Vikings loss to Detroit, Kevin O’Connell vocally called for a change. He hadn’t really done that until losing to the Lions. Evidently, Donatell’s response was to put a little heat on Matt Ryan in Week 15, and wouldn’t you know it, Minnesota showcased its best defensive game since Week 9.
There is no reason for the Vikings to go back to “the old way” sans a blitz because opposing teams gouged them repeatedly.
Let it rip with the blitz.
Q: Is the Vikings injury report as bad as recent weeks?
A: No, the injury report doesn’t look half-bad.
Garrett Bradbury is trending toward another absence, presumably nominating Austin Schlottmann for another start. But Bradbury was the only man to miss practice on Tuesday.
Linebacker Brian Asamoah and Eric Kendricks were limited, but both men will likely play against the Giants.
So, overall, no, the injury report doesn’t look too damning.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).