Newman out for Vikings game on Friday, Kalil too?

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

When the Minnesota Vikings face off against the Cincinnati Bengals for their first preseason game of 2016, they will reportedly be without cornerback Terence Newman in the lineup. Actually, he will not even be on the sidelines in Cincinnati.

The Vikings 37-year-old corner’s specific injury is unknown, but he will remain in Minnesota while the rest of his teammates travel to Cincinnati.

With Newman out for Friday, the next man up is Vikings second-year cornerback Trae Waynes. Minnesota’s top draft pick in 2015, Waynes has been performing very well this summer at camp and could potentially take over Newman’s starting spot when the preseason comes to a close.

Newman did not participate in the Vikings last training camp practice this morning in Mankato, but he was not the only notable name not in pads.

Minnesota left tackle Matt Kalil stood on the sideline this morning with his left knee wrapped as his teammates practiced. The severity of Kail’s injury is not yet known but it does not seem like anything to worry too much about just yet.

While the Vikings can afford to have Newman miss some time due to injury, Kalil missing time would be a disaster. As much as he has been thought of as a hindrance to Minnesota’s offensive line in his career, the team’s backup left tackle, T.J. Clemmings, makes Kalil look like Orlando Pace when comparing the two.

It must be noted that this is still only a preseason game and it is completely meaningless. The team would much rather have Newman and Kalil miss Friday’s game than have there be a chance that neither could be ready for the season opener in Tennessee.

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