Oct 10, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peteson. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
After last season’s injury crisis on defense, I thought this season couldn’t possibly be as bad. That would be impossible, right?
We are at the stage of it not being far off, but the Minnesota Vikings could at least have a Patrick Peterson boost coming next week. The veteran cornerback was photographed running at practice, no doubt testing his hamstring that was injured near the end of the Carolina game.
It’s hard to say which injury on defense has hit the hardest. Danielle Hunter’s season-ending pectoral injury probably tops the list, as there will be no return this season.
Michael Pierce’s elbow injury has been frustrating. It seems like he’s been on the verge of a return for weeks, but when the final injury report releases — he’s ruled out. So far this week, he has been a nonparticipant in practice. Once again, his return to the field looks unlikely.
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There is ample talent to cover on the defensive line, maybe not to the standard of a stud like Danielle Hunter. Is there enough talent who can contribute throughout the season? Armon Watts, D.J .Wonnum, and Kenny Willekes have done decent thus far.
The Vikings were light at cornerback before Peterson got injured. Once he was put on injured reserve — meaning he wouldn’t be eligible to return until next week’s game against the Green Bay Packers — there was some expectation that the Vikings might make a move for another corner. Nothing materialized as the Vikings opted to stick with Bashaud Breeland and bring Cameron Dantzler in off the naughty step to start.
Mackenzie Alexander stayed in the slot role, with Kris Boyd and Harrison Hand the backups. Was that the right decision? With Mike Zimmer and possibly Rick Spielman’s jobs on the line this season, I thought they would make a move. Whether they had no interest in signing a new cornerback or just couldn’t find anyone suitable — who knows?
Patrick Peterson may not be in his prime anymore, but he is the best corner on the Vikings roster. That is not up for debate. He locked down his side of the field for most of the time during his first six games as a Viking. While on the field for every defensive snap before pulling up lame in the Panthers game, his Pro Football Focus grade of 64.3 doesn’t tell the whole story of the importance of Peterson to the defense.
The two games he missed both ended in defeat. Of course, that’s not solely down to the absence of the LSU alumnus. There are a lot of issues with this team right now. However, it is a fact that the Minnesota Vikings secondary is much better with Patrick Peterson on the field.
Could the Vikings win the last two games with a healthy Patrick Peterson? Maybe? The games were excruciatingly close as always, so perhaps Peterson could have been the slight edge that drove the team to victory. It’s hard not to feel that this team would have found a way to lose anyway. Maybe that’s a bit cynical, but I think this season is starting to get to me. Isn’t it everyone?
They will have to get through another game without him this Sunday in Los Angeles — a game they really need to win. Otherwise, any return of injured players will be immaterial by that point.
If the Vikings season is still showing signs of life as we head into the Week 11 showdown with our divisional foe, a Patrick Peterson boost will be huge. First, he must be elevated back to the active roster. It will be something to monitor next week.