Player Outlook
Minnesota's DST has finished below average in Fantasy points per game in each of the past three seasons. Given its lack of improvement in personnel, it will likely struggle again in 2023. New defensive coordinator Brian Flores shouldn't be overlooked as he's come up with some awesome game plans in the past, but outside of pass rusher Danielle Hunter, the Vikings don't have much to pressure quarterbacks with, and their secondary has some questions to answer. Even though they take on the Bucs in Week 1, the Vikings DST just isn't considered good enough with which to begin your Fantasy season.

Fantasy News

  • Vikings' Josh Metellus: Limited on Thursday

    Rotowire
    Metellus (shoulder) was limited in Thursday's practice. Metellus briefly exited Week 2 against the Eagles but was able to return. His limited practices to open the week suggest he's on the right side of questionable ahead of Sunday's Week 3 game against the Chargers.
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  • Vikings' Jordan Hicks: Limited again Thursday

    Rotowire
    Hicks (shin) was limited in Thursday's practice. Hicks has started both games to date, playing 95 percent of the defensive snaps and registering 14 tackles. The limited participation tentatively puts him on track to play Sunday versus the Chargers.
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  • Vikings' Marcus Davenport: Unavailable for practice

    Rotowire
    Davenport (ankle) did not participate at the Vikings' practice Wednesday. Davenport missed Minnesota's first practice of the week as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. The defensive lineman made his Vikings debut Week 2 versus Philadelphia, but he was only able to play four snaps before he was removed from the contest. Davenport will have two more practices to return to the field prior to Sunday's matchup with the Chargers.
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  • Vikings' Theo Jackson: Grabs interception in loss

    Rotowire
    Jackson had four total tackles and an interception in Thursday's loss at Philadelphia. Jackson got some playing time when Josh Metellus left for a series or so after being shaken up. Jackson played 21 of the defense's 75 snaps. He's mostly playing on special teams along with a reserve role in the secondary, but his interception could get him more snaps on defense.
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  • Vikings' Ivan Pace: Moves into starting lineup

    Rotowire
    Pace started at middle linebacker and had eight total tackles with a half sack in Thursday's loss at Philadelphia. Pace, an undrafted rookie from Cincinnati, moved into a starting role, and his snap count increased (to playing on 80 percent of the defensive snaps up from 68 percent in Week 1) . He had an impact in the pass rush with a half sack and two quarterback hurries.
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  • Vikings' Danielle Hunter: Sacks Hurts thrice

    Rotowire
    Hunter had eight tackles (five solo), including three sacks, in Thursday's 34-28 loss to Philadelphia. Minnesota's pass rush dominated early, and Hunter ultimately accounted for three of the team's four sacks of Jalen Hurts. Unfortunately for Hunter and his teammates, they had no answer for an Eagles running game that racked up 259 yards and three touchdowns. With four sacks through two games, Hunter could challenge his career high of 14.5 sacks, which he reached in both 2018 and 2019.
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  • Vikings' Jordan Hicks: Totals 11 tackles on TNF

    Rotowire
    Hicks had 11 tackles (eight solo), including one tackle for loss, in Thursday's 34-28 loss to the Eagles. Despite missing part of the game due to a lower leg injury, Hicks was one of three Vikings to rack up double-digit tackles. Minnesota's defense spent most of the game on the field due to its inability to slow down Philadelphia's ground game, as the Eagles finished with 259 rushing yards. With 14 tackles through two games, Hicks is on pace to top 100 tackles for a fifth consecutive season.
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  • Vikings' Marcus Davenport: Still not healthy

    Rotowire
    Davenport (ankle) was forced to exit Thursday's game against the Eagles, Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Davenport was active and made his first appearance as a Viking, though he only played briefly on the team's opening drive before exiting with a pre-existing ankle injury. He'll have nine days to rest prior to the team's Week 3 matchup against the Chargers, so he could play a bigger role in that contest.
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  • Vikings' Jordan Hicks: Back in action Thursday

    Rotowire
    Hicks (lower leg) has returned to Thursday night's game against the Eagles, Lindsey Young of the Vikings' official site reports. Hicks exited in the first half after hurting his leg, but he's since made his way back into the contest. The veteran linebacker will look to build upon a big stat line that included eight tackles, including one for a loss, prior to halftime.
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  • Vikings' Jordan Hicks: Exits with leg injury

    Rotowire
    Hicks is questionable to return to Thursday's contest against Philadelphia due to a lower leg injury. Hicks headed to the locker room in the first half, and it's not certain that he'll be able to return. Before his departure, he racked up eight tackles (seven solo), including one for a loss. Brian Asamoah and/or Troy Dye should see more work if Hicks remains sidelined.
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  • Vikings' Josh Metellus: Returns to contest

    Rotowire
    Metellus is back in Thursday's game against the Eagles after previously departing with a shoulder injury, Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Metellus left with a shoulder injury the first quarter, but the issue doesn't appear to be serious. He has since returned to play both defense and special teams.
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  • Vikings' Josh Metellus: Exits with injury

    Rotowire
    Metellus is questionable to return to Thursday's game against Philadelphia due to a shoulder injury, Lindsey Young of the Vikings' official site reports. Metellus hurt his shoulder in the first quarter of the contest and subsequently headed to the medical tent. Theo Jackson entered in his absence and could continue to see extra work if Metellus is unable to return.
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  • Vikings' Marcus Davenport: Ready for Week 2

    Rotowire
    Davenport (ankle) is active for the Vikings' matchup with the Eagles on Thursday Night Football. Davenport was listed as limited with an ankle injury on Monday's estimated practice report, but he appears ready to go for Thursday's contest. The 27-year-old will be making his debut with Minnesota after signing with the team in the offseason.
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  • Vikings' Marcus Davenport: Questionable for Thursday's game

    Rotowire
    Davenport (ankle) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Eagles, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. Davenport missed the season-opener against Tampa Bay and has had his practice reps capped heading into Thursday's game. If the 2018 first-round pick of the Saints is able to dress Thursday, it would be his Vikings debut.
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  • Vikings' Andrew Booth: Limited to special teams

    Rotowire
    Booth did not have a tackle and played all his 11 snaps on special teams in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. Booth was expected to be fighting for a starting cornerback job by now as a 2022 second-round draft pick, but he had an underwhelming preseason and looks relegated to special teams.
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  • Vikings' Patrick Jones: No tackles in loss

    Rotowire
    Jones didn't have a tackle but had two QB hurries, according to Pro Football Focus, in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. Jones was heavily in the mix as an edge rusher while playing on 40 of the defense's 68 snaps. He struggled against the run in the loss, so he'll need to improve to stay in the rotation.
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  • Vikings' Mekhi Blackmon: Limited role in pro debut

    Rotowire
    Blackmon had one tackle and played 15 snaps on defense in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. The 2023 third-round pick out of USC will begin his pro career with a role off the bench, but played well in his limited time. Blackmon had a defensive stop and allowed a QB rating of 88.2 on the three passes targeted at him, according to Pro Football Focus. He could get more snaps on defense as a result.
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  • Vikings' Khyiris Tonga: Limited work in season opener

    Rotowire
    Tonga had one tackle in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. Tonga played on just nine snaps on defense as he'll work as a reserve nose tackle behind starter Harrison Phillips.
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  • Vikings' Jordan Hicks: Three tackles in season opener

    Rotowire
    Hicks started at middle linebacker and had three tackles and a quarterback hurry in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. Hicks is a cornerstone of the defense, as he played on 66 of the defense's 68 snaps and was the only linebacker to remain on the field in all formations. He could get more sacks this season, as the Vikings appear likely to utilize more blitzes under new defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
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  • Vikings' Brian Asamoah: Limited role on defense

    Rotowire
    Asamoah had two total tackles in Sunday's loss to Tampa Bay. He played just two snaps on defense. Asamoah played 12 snaps on special teams. He began training camp as a starting linebacker, but he took a back seat to Ivan Pace during Sunday's game. Asamoah may be limited to special teams unless injuries strike the linebacking corps.
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