Image courtesy of Vikings.com
Week 1 of the 2016 regular season kicks off in a little over an hour, and the Minnesota Vikings will take the field with Shaun Hill starting at quarterback. ESPN’s Ben Goessling confirmed Hill’s place at the top of the depth chart, though that may change if Hill plays poorly today and Sam Bradford continues to progress in practice.
Bradford is active and may see some playing time this afternoon, but a few other names won’t take the field. Most notably, two of Minnesota’s 2015 starters on offense and defense — cornerback Xavier Rhodes and slot receiver Jarius Wright.
With Rhodes out, Trae Waynes will start at left cornerback and Terence Newman on the opposite side. Charles Johnson and Stefon Diggs are Minnesota’s top-two receivers, with Adam Thielen and Laquon Treadwell pushing for time in three and four-receiver sets.
Rhodes was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury, but practiced fully on Friday. Earlier this morning, he was downgraded to “Questionable” on the team’s injury report with a knee injury, which thrust second-year cornerback Waynes into the starting lineup.
Wright, meanwhile, is a healthy scratch after an offseason that saw him slide down the depth chart. Goessling reported Wright was on the sidelines in street clothes during pre-game, chatting with offensive Norv Turner as the rest of the wide receivers warmed up on the field.
Charles Johnson and Jerick McKinnon were listed as questionable yesterday, but will play for the Vikings in today’s matchup with the Titans. Both were dealing with leg injuries but appear ready for significant playing time in Minnesota’s new-look offense; new-look with a complete shift at quarterback.
Goessling also reports that Rhett Ellison, who missed most of training camp while recovering from a torn patellar tendon, is active and will play for the Vikings. He is listed as the Vikings’ second tight end on the unofficial depth chart.
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