- The Vikings’ defense has already been pretty banged up, and they got even more bad news recently. Linebacker Anthony Barr has been ruled out, which will end his streak of 44 consecutive games started for the Vikings, according to Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Vikings will be considerably short-handed for their game against the Saints, and Barr’s absence will surely be felt over the middle.
Today’s practice squad moves:
Minnesota Vikings:
- Signed: DT Curtis Cothran
- Released: CB Jalen Myrick
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: QB J.T. Barrett
- Released: OL Landon Turner
The Vikings brought back Cothran, who spent the offseason and preseason with the team and apparently impressed the coaching staff. Meanwhile, the Saints re-signed Barrett to their squad, completing a near-weekly ritual.
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: T Storm Norton
- Waived: DT David Parry
New York Jets
- Waived: CB Juston Burris
It’s been a rollercoaster these past few weeks for Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen, but he’ll finally be returning to the field. Griffen is “expected to be active and play on Sunday ” against the Saints, according to Courtney Cronin of ESPN. It’ll be the first game Griffen has played in since the team’s Week 2 tie against the Packers.
The team initially announced a little over a month ago that he was dealing with a “serious personal health issue”, that was initially clouded in secrecy. More details began to pour out, and it was eventually revealed that he was dealing with mental health issues following a scary incident at a Minneapolis hotel.
For a few weeks there was no update on his situation, and Minnesota continued to insist there was no timeline for his return. Then out of nowhere, Griffen returned to practice on Wednesday. The team was initially mum on whether or not he would play, but it appears he’ll be all systems go for the team’s pivotal game against New Orleans.
It’s great to hear that Griffen is apparently past whatever was troubling him, and it’ll be a massive boost to the Vikings’ banged up defense. Griffen will provide a massive upgrade to Minnesota’s pass-rush, and they’ll need him to get in Drew Brees’ face early and often if they want to win the re-match of last year’s NFC divisional round thriller.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook could be sidelined through Minnesota’s Week 10 bye, sources tell Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com.
Cook originally injured his hamstring in Week 2 and missed the Vikings’ next game before returning in Week 4. However, Cook managed to play 18 offensive snaps in that Thursday night contest against the Rams, and hasn’t been on the field since. Cook, of course, missed the majority of his rookie season in 2017 after suffering a torn ACL.
If Cook can’t go until Week 11, he’ll miss two massively important games against the Saints and Lions. Veteran Latavius Murray, who has handled the load in Cook’s absence, would again take over as Minnesota’s starting running back. Over the past three weeks, Murray has rushed for 266 yards while averaging 5.32 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns. Undrafted free agents Roc Thomas and Mike Boone will take a few snaps, but Murray will shoulder the majority of the work.
Cook, the 41st overall pick in 2017, had injury issues in college, as well, but was excellent in four games as the Vikings’ starter last season. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 74 rushes, scoring twice before that aforementioned ACL injury ended his season. Among running backs with fewer than 100 attempts, Cook ranked eighth in Football Outsiders’ DYAR, which measures value over replacement level.
Today’s workout updates, all courtesy of veteran NFL reporter Howard Balzer (on Twitter):
Arizona Cardinals
- TE Ethan Wolf; K Zane Gonzalez
Cincinnati Bengals
- TE Marcus Lucas
Cleveland Browns
- WR Deontez Alexander, Marcus Tucker; CB Linden Stephens; LB Corey Nelson
Detroit Lions
- RBs Gerald Holmes, Jalen Simmons; DE Anthony Lanier; DT Josh Banks
Houston Texans
- TE Khari Lee
Indianapolis Colts
- WRs C.J. Board, Montay Crockett, Chad Hansen; DT Zaycoven Henderson; S A.J. Howard
Jacksonville Jaguars
- LBs Richie Brown, Colton Jumper, Mike Needham, Aaron Wallace; CB Breon Borders; S Jack Tocho
Kansas City Chiefs
Minnesota Vikings
- T Andrew Lauderdale
Oakland Raiders
- OTs Darius James, Jamar McGloster, De’Ondre Wesley; Gs Maurquice Shakir, Isaiah Williams
Seattle Seahawks
- G J.J. Dielman; S Justin Currie
Tennessee Titans
- RB Ralph Webb; TE Khari Lee; DT Vincent Valentine; LBs Vontarrius Dora, Gimel President
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: G Kofi Amichia
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: G Will House
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Jalen Myrick, OL Adam Bisnowaty
- Released: DL Curtis Cothran
- Placed on PS-IR: DL Jonathan Wynn
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Landon Turner
- Cut: QB J.T. Barrett
New York Giants
- Signed: TE Garrett Dickerson
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: LB Cayson Collins
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: CB Javien Elliott
Everson Griffen is back. The Vikings announced this evening that the defensive end will resume team activities tomorrow.
The three-time Pro Bowler appeared in two games with Minnesota earlier this season, compiling six tackles and one sack. However, in late September we learned that Griffen was away from the team as he dealt with a “serious, personal health-related issue.” Following several bizarre incidents, the organization said the 30-year-old wouldn’t be returning to the team until he was in a better state of mind (other reports indicated that he was barred from the team until he underwent a mental health evaluation). Fortunately, it sounds like Griffen is doing better, allowing him to return to the field.
“We have been in communication with Everson’s medical professionals throughout this process and have relied on his recommendations regarding the appropriate next steps for Everson,” general manager Rick Spielman said in a statement. “We are excited to welcome Everson back to the Vikings and to see him around teammates, coaches, and staff – people who care deeply about his well-being. Our focus will continue to be on providing an on-going support system for Everson and his family.”
“Being around my teammates and coaches is something I have missed for several weeks,” Griffen said. “While this is an exciting and positive move forward for me, it is only the next step in a longer process. I look forward to once again putting in the work with the guys and contributing to this team in any way I can. My larger focus remains on addressing my personal health, and I’m hopeful the time will come when I feel comfortable sharing my story and using my platform to bring awareness to these issues. I continue to be extremely grateful for the constant support from my family, my teammates, the Vikings organization and our tremendous fans.”
The Vikings will certainly welcome Griffen back with open arms. The veteran has established himself as one of the top defensive ends in the NFL, emphasized by a 2017 campaign that saw him compile 45 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a career-high 13 sacks. The former fourth-rounder inked a four-year, $58MM extension with the Vikings in 2017.
During his absence, the team has been relying on Stephen Weatherly and Tashawn Bower. Considering his time off, it’s unlikely Griffen slides back into the lineup for this weekend’s game against the Saints. However, he’ll surely be placed back into the starting lineup once he’s ready to go.
We’ll keep track of today’s practice squad moves here:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: CB Deatrick Nichols
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed: OG Sean Harlow
- Cut: C J.C. Hassenauer
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: LB Brandon Bell
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: RB Devante Mays
Denver Broncos
- Cut: OG Avery Gennesy
Houston Texans
- Signed: OLB Daeshon Hall
- Cut: RB Josh Ferguson
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: S Rolan Milligan
- Cut: QB Phillip Walker
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: LB Raymond Davison, T Pace Murphy
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: WR Austin Proehl
- Cut: WR Steven Mitchell
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: CB Jalen Myrick, OT Adam Bisnowaty
- Cut: DT Curtis Cothran
- Placed on injured list: DE Jonathan Wynn
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: RB Donnel Pumphrey
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: WR Aaron Burbridge
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: DB Justin Currie, OG J.J. Dielman
- Cut: RB Lavon Coleman, LB Azeem Victor
The Vikings will be without Dalvin Cook yet again when they face the Jets on Sunday, the team announced. That makes three absences in a row for the second-year pro. 
[RELATED: Vikings Re-Sign DT David Parry]
Cook suffered a torn ACL as a rookie missed the majority of his rookie campaign in 2017, but averaged 4.8 yards per carry before going down. So far this year, he hasn’t been all that productive in his three contests.
The Vikings are already well set at running back, so it’s unlikely that they’ll make a move before this weekend. Latavius Murray should continue in the lead role with support from Michael Boone, Roc Thomas, and fullback C.J. Ham.
With a record of 3-2-1, the Vikings are tied for second in the NFC North with the Packers. A Vikings win coupled with Bears (vs. Patriots) and Packers (@ Rams) losses would vault them to the divisional lead.