Vikings Elevate Some Extra LB Help for Week 8 vs. Packers
Josh Frey
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This afternoon, the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers are set to revive one of the most entertaining rivalries in the NFL.
The two teams are fighting to get themselves back into the playoff picture and sit just half a game apart from each other in the standings.
Ahead of the game, the Vikings elevated some extra LB help from the practice squad. That LB help comes in the form of Nick Vigil, who reunited with the Vikings back in August.
Vikings Elevate Some Extra LB Help for Week 8
The Vikings announced the move via social media on Saturday evening, tweeting, “The #Vikings have signed WR Trishton Jackson to the active roster from the practice squad. LB Nick Vigil has been elevated to the active roster for #MINvsGB.”
Not only is Vigil available to play on Sunday for the first time this season, but WR Trishton Jackson is back on the 53-man roster.
Jackson has gone back and forth between the active roster and the practice squad throughout the season, and he has appeared in three games so far this season. He had a seven-yard reception against the 49ers last week.
As for Vigil, the 8-year veteran has yet to play in a game during the 2023 season since reuniting with the Vikings. Fans will remember him from the 2021 team where he started 12 games for Minnesota, recording 85 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception.
The veteran got his career started in Cincinnati back in 2016 after the Bengals made him a third-round pick (87th overall) in that spring’s draft following a strong collegiate career at Utah State.
He spent four years in Cincinnati and has since had regular-season stints with the Chargers, Vikings, and Cardinals along with a short tenure with the Jets this summer before heading back to Minnesota.
In recent weeks, the Vikings have largely relied on Jordan Hicks to be the sole true off-ball linebacker on defense. As a result, undrafted rookie Ivan Pace, who shined throughout training camp and preseason, has taken a bit of a back seat.
However, Minnesota has utilized plenty of their linebackers on the special teams, including Brian Asamoah, Troy Dye, and Pace. Perhaps Vigil can break into the special teams lineup on Sunday and even get a couple snaps with the defense against Green Bay.
Over Vigil’s career, he has played just two games against the Packers (both coming in 2021) and has recorded 10 tackles in those matchups. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 PM Central at Lambeau Field today.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.