Vikings Inactives: Linval Out, Floyd to Start at Nose
Austin Belisle
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In a meeting of the league’s top two rushing attacks, the Minnesota Vikings will be without a key contributor on the defensive line. Linval Joseph, who injured his foot against the Atlanta Falcons last week, is inactive. The cog in the middle of Mike Zimmer’s defense will be replaced by Sharrif Floyd, who is making his first career start at nose tackle. Fellow defensive tackle Tom Johnson will start in Floyd’s vacated position and lead the effort to stop Seahawks running back Thomas Rawls.
Strong safety Andrew Sendejo is inactive after receiving an MRI on his injured knee earlier this week. Fortunately for the Vikings, Harrison Smith returns to the active lineup and will boost a secondary that’s been decimated by injuries in recent weeks. His presence should help Antone Exum Jr., who is making just his second career start at strong safety.
The other inactive players include:
Today's #VikingsGameday inactives.
Tom Johnson will take @sharriffloyd's spot, who will take Linval Joseph's. pic.twitter.com/Pw7Sf6zEpG
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 6, 2015
The Seahawks are averaging 144 rushing yards per game and face a Vikings team that has given up back-to-back 100-yard rushers. Without Joseph at nose tackle, Minnesota will need to play disciplined football in the trenches. Anthony Barr, who battled through a groin injury this week, is questionable, but will likely start the game. The Vikings will have just three active defensive tackles, including Floyd, Johnson, and free agent pickup Kenrick Ellis.
In the past two weeks, Rawls has rushed 51 times for 290 yards, good for 5.68 yards per carry. In those games, he’s scored two touchdowns and given the Seahawks a “shot in the arm” on offense. Russel Wilson is also an able runner from the pocket, and Minnesota’s defense has struggled against mobile quarterbacks. Expect Mike Zimmer to put an emphasis on shutting down Seattle’s rushing attack.