Injuries are part of the game- the Vikings might know better than anyone right now- but things become more complicated when you’re a UDFA. UCLA standout and undrafted rookie Gabriel Murphy was on a tear early on in training camp and in the preseason. But after suffering an undisclosed injury, Murphy hasn’t been seen for a little while.
Murphy appeared to be a lock to make the 53-man roster — en route to what Ivan Pace Jr. accomplished last season. However, the UCLA product is starting to look a little shaky. Alec Lewis with The Athletic thinks Minnesota could opt to place Murphy on the IR, which wouldn’t count against its roster limit.
Given Murphy’s potential, the Vikings probably won’t want to cut him and give him to another team. Plenty of outlets were clamoring that Minnesota got the steal of the free agent pool when it signed Murphy.
Even with signing two veteran Edge rushers and drafting Dallas Turner, depth is always a key to a position of need. Murphy has a chance to stick around Minnesota for some time if he can get healthy and play well.