Purple Rumor Mill: Dantzler’s Return, the Seafood Kicker, Bullard on the Shelf

Purple Rumor Mill: Dantzler's Return, the Seafood Kicker, Bullard on the Shelf
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

Purple Rumor Mill

VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the December 11th edition.

Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.

Rumor: Cameron Dantzler is set to return after an IR stint.

Vikings Corners Face First Test
Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

Indeed, the Vikings activated Dantzler to the active roster Saturday, setting the stage for the third-year CB’s return at Detroit.

Dantzler was injured against the Washington Commanders in Week 9, missing four games with an ankle injury. And his return is timely, as two Vikings rookie corners, Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans, hit injured reserve in the last two weeks.

Without Dantzler’s return, Minnesota would be in dire shape, down to nubbins for CB depth and relying on Duke Shelley and Kris Boyd after Patrick Peterson. But all of that is moot because Dantzler is back.

Rumor: The Vikings auditioned a new kicker, a man who worked at a seafood market mere weeks ago.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports.

Late this week, the Vikings auditioned Nick Sciba, the second-most accurate kicker in the history of college football. Sciba hit 80 of 89 field goals at Wake Forest and never missed an extra point.

It is unclear what the Vikings next steps with Sciba will be, but the man deserves placement on an NFL roster. He played one game for the Pittsburgh Steelers at the end of October and hit two field goals.

Before getting the call from Pittsburgh, Sciba worked at Saltwater Markets in South Carolina.

Rumor: Starting defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard is out for at least four games.

The Vikings Final Injury Report: Week 8
Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports.

This one is true.

Bullard injured his bicep last weekend versus the Jets and will hit the shelf for at least four games. In his stead, James Lynch will likely start, with Ross Blacklock filling in for reservist duty.

Bullard was putting together a decent year in his first year with the Vikings, firing up a 58.0 Pro Football Focus grade. Bullard should return in time for the postseason, and the team should be in good hands with Lynch, a mini-fan-favorite.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. 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).

Share: