Vikings Rookie Gets the Nod in Harrison Smith’s Spot
Dustin Baker
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Just before the kickoff of Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens, safety Harrison Smith was placed on the NFL’s COVID list.
Smith is reportedly unvaccinated, so he’ll likely miss Week 9 in Baltimore and Week 10 at the Los Angeles Chargers.
In his place, rookie Camryn Bynum will start for the Vikings.
Drafted in the 4th Round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Bynum has played substantially on special teams through seven games — but only on nine defensive snaps. He’s notched five total sacks during that stretch.
Sunday’s game will be Vikings fans’ first real look at the rookie on defense. Coming out of the University of California, Bynum was scouted by The Draft Network‘s Drae Harris with this synopsis:
“Bynum has played a lot of football — he’s credited with having started 38 consecutive games. He will be a 4-year starter this year (2020). Athletically, he is smooth and fluid when opening his hips. Does a good job of staying in phase in press and also when locating the football while his back is turned. A very instinctive defender in regard to route combinations. Does a good job of leveraging the football against the run on the edge, too. He’s shown very good tackling efficiency on the perimeter as an added bonus.”
All in all, the Vikings will be without the defensive services of Danielle Hunter (DE), Michael Pierce (NT), Patrick Peterson (CB), and the aforementioned Smith (S).
Not a good list of absentees when facing 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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