Tag: Jonathan Bullard

Could the Vikings sign Michael Brockers?

The Vikings have a need on the defensive line and the newly released Lions defensive end could fit the bill

The Minnesota Vikings are in the midst of trying to reshape their 31st-ranked scoring defense. One of the weakest points of the defense is on the defensive line. They currently have two of their defensive lineman set to hit free agency and they will likely part ways with Ross Blacklock who disappointed this past season after a cutdown day trade.

There was one addition to the free agency pool on Friday morning with the Detroit Lions releasing defensive end Michael Brockers.

A five-technique defensive end who can move to the inside on passing downs, Brockers is set to turn 33 in December. He spent the last two seasons with the Lions who just cut him to save $10 million on the cap.

Why would the Vikings sign Brockers? He would add a nice veteran depth piece to the Vikings in a similar mold to what Jonathan Bullard was for the team and he can play multiple spots on the defensive line. Versatility is something that Brian Flores loves and prioritizes for his defense.

Last season, Brockers was a healthy scratch on 10 different occasions, which is both a sign that he isn’t worth a lot of money along with the Lions prioritizing developing their young talent. Because of that, it could end up being an inexpensive signing which would add to the depth on the defensive line. He also has a rapport with head coach Kevin O’Connell, as they spent the 2020 season together with the Los Angeles Rams.

Per PFF, Brockers ended up with an overall grade of 51.3 over 129 snaps in 2022. If the Vikings were to sign him, it would likely be on a veteran minimum contract or something close to it to provide depth and nothing more. He could potentially be a starter at one of the defensive end spots, as both guys are free agents currently.

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Vikings sign TE Muse, release DT Day from practice squad

Former seventh-round pick makes his way back to the practice squad

The Minnesota Vikings needed to make room for both tight end Irv Smith Jr. and defensive end Jonathan Bullard on the active roster, which they did officially on Saturday afternoon. To do so, they needed to waive tight end Nick Muse.

On Saturday afternoon, they brought their seventh-round pick Muse back to the roster by signing him to the practice squad. To make room for him, the Vikings released defensive tackle Sheldon Day from the practice squad.

Muse has played in 10 games this season for the Vikings but hasn’t gotten a single snap on offense. He has seen 108 of them on special teams this season and the Vikings didn’t need to have four tight ends on the roster. He got his spot on the active roster due to the high ankle sprain that Smith Jr. suffered in week eight against the Arizona Cardinals.

Day signed with the Vikings practice squad the same day that they placed left tackle Blake Brandel on injured reserve. They had interest for a while, as they hosted him for a visit a month earlier on November 15th.

Vikings activate 2 from IR, elevate 2 others ahead of Week 18 vs. Bears

Both Smith Jr. and Bullard are officially back

The Minnesota Vikings have made a lot of roster moves over the past week and they continued that ahead on Sunday’s week 18 matchup against the Chicago Bears. As we had reported on Friday, the Vikings have officially activated both tight end Irv Smith Jr. and defensive end Jonathan Bullard.

Smith Jr. has been out since suffering a high ankle sprain against the Arizona Cardinals back in week eight. His addition will help the Vikings down the field and we could potentially see more 12 personnel to compensate for the season-ending Achilles injury to right tackle Brian O’Neill.

Bullard has been dealing with a bicep injury for most of the season and was on injured reserve for the last four weeks.

Along with both of those roster moves, the Vikings have elevated inside linebacker Ryan Connelly and center Kyle Hinton to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Bears.

Connelly hasn’t seen any game action since being activated from the physically unable to perform list and Hinton has been elevated twice prior, dressing for only one game.

Vikings to activate defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard

As the postseason nears, the Vikings are getting more depth back along the defensive line.

The Minnesota Vikings are getting more good news as the playoffs near. Earlier on Friday, the Vikings announced that they would be activating tight end Irv Smith Jr., who has been out since week eight with an ankle injury.

The Vikings also announced that they’d be activating defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard. Bullard suffered a biceps injury earlier this season against the New York Jets and was placed on injured reserve.

Prior to his injury, Bullard showed flashes when he helped fill in for an injured Dalvin Tomlinson. In 11 games this season, Bullard has four total pressures and zero sacks. While it hasn’t been determined if Bullard will return to his starting role, his presence will help provide the team with flexibility and depth as a rotational defensive lineman.

Vikings designate DE Jonathan Bullard to return from IR

The defensive line is getting healthier

The defensive line has been beaten up in recent weeks but things are getting better for the unit. On Wednesday morning, the Minnesota Vikings designated defensive end Jonathan Bullard to return from injured reserve.

Bullard has been dealing with an injury to his bicep since September and was placed on injured reserve on December 10th. Activating him will open up a 21 day practice window before a final decision will need to be made.

This comes at a great time, as defensive end James Lynch was diagnosed with a sprained shoulder stemming from the Christmas Eve clash against the New York Giants.

An official timeline for his return is to be determined, but he returned to practice on Wednesday.

Vikings make multiple roster moves, activate Cameron Dantzler from IR

The Vikings starting cornerback will return on Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings have made a roster move before every game either activating a player or placing a player on injured reserve. They continued that trend on Saturday with multiple roster moves, including activating cornerback Cameron Dantzler from injured reserve

Dantzler suffered a high ankle sprain against the Washington Commanders in week 11 and was placed on injured reserve relatively quickly.

Defensive end Jonathan Bullard made his first trip to injured reserve on the season. Bullard has been dealing with a bicep injury on and off for the majority of the season. He will be eligible to play again in week 18 against the Chicago Bears,

The Vikings’ issues in the secondary prompted the elevation of both Myles Dorn and Tay Gowan. They are both candidates to get the two roster spots currently open, as the have both been elevated now three times.

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Vikings final injury report: Christian Darrisaw exits concussion protocol

Good news for the Vikings left tackle

The Minnesota Vikings have essentially been without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw since the fourth quarter against the Buffalo Bills and they got some good news on Friday as Darrisaw exited the concussion protocol and practice without a red non-contact jersey on.

The illness bug seems to have passed, as they all practiced on Friday afternoon. Safety Harrison Smith, however, remains on the list for something else as he has a flare-up in his neck.

Garrett Bradbury has been questionable all week and remains as such with a back injury.

The good news is that the Vikings should be expecting to get back cornerback Cameron Dantzler prior to kickoff on Sunday, as he is still on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.

Jonathan Bullard highlights Vikings inactives

The inactive lists are more of the same for the Vikings and not great for the Cardinals

The Minnesota Vikings entered the weekend with only one player on the injury report in defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard with an illness. He appeared on the report on Friday in a similar way to D.J. Wonnum and, just like Wonnum, will not play on Sunday as he headlines the Vikings inactive list.

Early in the week, it was Jalen Nailor with a hamstring injury. After practicing in full on both Wednesday and Thursday, he was taken off the report and will play on Sunday.

The inactive list doesn’t have any surprises. Chris Reed, Vederian Lowe and Esezi Otomewo have been inactive for every game thus far this season and Luiji Vilain only appeared in the week six contest against the Dolphins.

After signing with the Vikings during the bye week, Benton Whitley is also inactive keeping the trend of the only activating four edge rushers.

Nose tackle Khyiris Tonga is active for the first time as a Minnesota Viking and will backup Harrison Phillips.

The Cardinals’ inactives are very advantageous for the Vikings, as three of the starters on the offensive line were declared inactive.

Week 2 injury report: D.J. Wonnum gets added

The Vikings added an edge rusher to the injury report

The updated Minnesota Vikings injury report is out and there is one change to it.

On Thursday’s injury report, Andrew Booth Jr. didn’t practice for the second-straight day due to an injured quad and both Jonathan Bullard (biceps) and Lewis Cine (knee) were both full participants for the second-straight day.

Friday’s report had one addition. Outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum was listed as limited with a foot injury.

The injury for Wonnum shouldn’t be viewed as anything worth concerning yourself over at this point. He, albeit limited, still did practice and this is the first of any mention of a foot injury.

Against the Green Bay Packers, Wonnum had a team-high three pressures and earned a sack on Aaron Rodgers.

There is still a chance that all four of these guys play, but things aren’t looking good for Booth Jr.

Vikings week 2 injury report: Booth Jr. and Cine highlight

The first week 2 injury report looks promising for the Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings got out of the game against the Green Bay Packers without suffering a major injury. Going into Monday night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, things look good for the Vikings.

During the game, Andrew Booth Jr. hurt his quad and Cameron Dantzler left the game with cramps. Both players ended up returning to the game but the former is still dealing with the minor injury. Head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to the media before practice on Thursday and said that Booth Jr. would be the only player not practicing.

The injury report not only had Booth Jr. on it but two other players but they were both full participants in practice.

We see Booth Jr. right at the top and both Cine and Jonathan Bullard were on last weeks injury report as well and Bullard ended up playing and starting on Sunday against the Packers.

Cine is expected to play on Monday night making his NFL debut.

The Vikings are still 96 hours away from kickoff so a lot can change but it is a good sign to see only three names on the initial injury report.

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