6 Losers from Vikings vs. Broncos
Janik Eckardt
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The Vikings didn’t just lose the first two games. They also couldn’t pull off a victory against the Denver Broncos in the third and final preseason game. Much more important are the player observations. The biggest losers of the game, in no particular order.
Olabisi Johnson
This one is very unfortunate and heartbreaking. Johnson just returned from a torn ACL suffered a year ago that caused him to miss the 2021 season. In Saturday’s game, he went down with another torn ACL. This time, it’s his other knee.
Before his injuries, he had a productive career, especially for a seventh-rounder. In 2019, the rookie became a reliable third receiver for the purple team behind Thielen and Diggs. He recorded almost 300 yards and three scores. In 2020, he started over Justin Jefferson for two games after the Vikings traded away Diggs. Once Jefferson clinched a starting role, Johnson was a backup and rotational player. He finished the year with 189 yards.
In 2022, he practiced and played well enough to earn a roster spot. In a WR-heavy offense, he could’ve had some success, even as a WR4 or WR5. Sadly, his season is over. Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent after the season. It’s up in the air if he’ll play another game in Vikings uniform. Hopefully, he can recover from the setback and continue his playing career.
Sean Mannion
The quarterback landed on that list in the first preseason game and was close to landing on it after the second. This time, he once again made it. His stat line of 9/16 passes for 121 yards doesn’t look bad. However, people who watched the game saw a QB that doesn’t look like an NFL passer. He is incredibly smart and rarely makes a mistake but is limited physically. Mannion lacks arm strength, accuracy, and touch. Most of his throws are high for no reason.
If the Vikings want to keep him, they should offer him a coaching job. It would be insane to spend a roster spot for him, and even the practice squad feels like a wasted spot. If he ever had to come onto the field, the Vikings should just forfeit the game.
Nick Muse
The tight end made the winners list last week, and some even considered him for a roster spot after Zach Davidson’s drops. Just one week later, Muse struggled just as badly. He dropped two passes, which might have cost him a roster spot. The practice squad is more likely at the moment. He finished the game with one catch for 11 yards.
Kene Nwangwu
The running back didn’t play a lot in the final preseason game. His roster spot is safe, and the Vikings need him healthy. However, his performance wasn’t great. In the first Vikings play from scrimmage, Nwangwu fumbled the ball. A catastrophic play that can’t happen in the regular season. He’s currently fighting with Ty Chandler and Alexander Mattison for the backup touches. The fumble didn’t help.
Timon Parris
In the first games, he played at the very end and actually had some nice moments. On Saturday, he played the full second half, and his game was a disaster. He allowed three sacks and was called for two penalties. That should do it for the veteran tackle in Minnesota.
Zach McCloud
The edge rusher did a bad job containing the run. He had a few good plays mixed in but mostly had a bad game. That’s bad timing in a battle for a potential fifth spot among edge rushers on the 53-man roster. His teammate Luiji Vilain had a comparable game. Like McCloud, he struggled against the run but played better in the pass rush. Neither of the two looked like they belonged on the regular season team.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and Classic rock is his music genre of choice. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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