#Vikings DT Michael Pierce suffered a calf injury while training and his availability for the start of camp is in doubt, source said. While he could end up missing time to begin camp, it’s not expected to keep him off the field to begin the season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 19, 2021
Minnesota’s biggest free agency signing of 2020 was nose tackle Michael Pierce.
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Pierce was a high-risk opt-out in 2020, setting back the timeline for when he could play for the Vikings. Pierce experienced another setback recently, but at least he’s not expected to miss game time.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Pierce suffered a calf injury while training and his availability for the start of camp is in doubt. However, Pierce’s injury is not expected to keep him off the field for the start of the season, per Rapoport.
If Pierce does end up missing any time, Minnesota has depth on the interior defensive line to make up for it. Expect Sheldon Richardson to start and Dalvin Tomlinson to fill in at the nose tackle spot.
However, the Vikings defensive line at full strength would likely see Pierce and Tomlinson starting, with Richardson filling in as a key rational lineman.