The Vikings Have More QB Help on the Way
The Minnesota Vikings have been on quite the QB carousel throughout the first 10 weeks of the NFL season.
They’ve started three separate players at the position (Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, Jaren Hall) because of some unfortunate injury luck.
Luckily, though, the Vikings will soon have more QB help in case another injury happens. On Wednesday morning, Minnesota opened Nick Mullens’ 21-day practice window, allowing him to return to practice from IR.
The Vikings Have More QB Help on the Way
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the good news for Minnesota, tweeting, “The #Vikings have designated QB Nick Mullens to return off Injured Reserve. His practice window is open.”
Mullens went to IR at the same time as star receiver Justin Jefferson following Minnesota’s Week 5 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He suffered a back injury that was deemed serious enough to sit him for the next five weeks.
This injury largely was the reason why the Vikings had to go out and trade for Dobbs following Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tear. Had Mullens been available, he likely would have gone into Week 9 against the Falcons either as the starter or Hall’s backup.
Mullens has served as a backup in the Vikings offense since being acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders prior to the start of the 2022 regular season. That trade actually happened shortly after Mullens lit up the Vikings defense during Week 2 of the preseason, completing 7 of his 9 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Since joining the Vikings, the journeyman has appeared in two regular season games, both coming at the end of the 2022 season. Mullens played very well in relief appearances against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. He completed 15 of his 17 passes for a total of 173 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.
Mullens’ return provides more quality insurance at QB in case either of Dobbs or Hall were to suffer an injury later this season. It also becomes an interesting topic of whether he or the rookie Hall would start if Dobbs were hurt or began to struggle down the stretch of the season.
Of course, the hope remains that neither of those things happen. Dobbs has been incredible for the Vikings offense over the past two weeks and has really hit a stride since being acquired via trade just 15 days ago.
The Vikings next test comes against the Denver Broncos as Minnesota will travel to Mile High for a Sunday Night Football showdown against these Broncos. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:20 PM Central on Sunday, November 19th.
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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.