Vikings Defender Ruled Out for MNF
Dustin Baker
|
The Minnesota Vikings will be without rookie cornerback Andrew Booth on Monday Night Football after the Clemson alumnus injured his quad in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers.
The Vikings drafted Booth in the 2nd Round of the 2022 NFL Draft following a mini-draft tumble because of injury concerns.
Booth conducted a hot start to Vikings training camp late in July, making a name for himself as a jaw-jacking cover corner. But when the preseason began, Booth slid down the depth chart to his current spot around CB5 or CB6. Fourth-round rookie cornerback Akayleb Evans even quietly surpassed Booth on the Vikings roster when the team released its first regular season depth chart.
But hopes remain high for Booth, 21, who is forecasted as the future of the Vikings CB room when Patrick Peterson eventually departs. Alongside Cameron Dantzer, a starter, and the aforementioned Evans, Minnesota should be in decent shape down the road in the secondary, with perhaps drafting one more corner in next year’s draft.
As for Booth’s absence on Monday night, the Vikings face an Eagles team that is better on the ground than through the air. Philadelphia ran all over the Detroit Lions in Week 1, securing a 38-35 road victory against one of the Vikings faux rivals. Four different Eagles scored rushing touchdowns, while quarterback Jalen Hurts helped Philadelphia toss 38 points on the scoreboard without a passing touchdown.
Through the air, however, new Eagles WR A.J. Brown did register 155 receiving yards, the second-most in the NFL for Week 1 behind Justin Jefferson. With Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Quez Watkins, the Eagles indeed have productive players to catch the ball. In that regard, Booth will be missed.
Booth played two snaps in the Vikings Week 1 triumph over Green Bay, both on special teams, before tweaking the quad. The injury is not considered serious or long-term.
Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine will make his NFL debut at Philadelphia. He was chosen 10 picks before Booth.
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).
Vikings Territory Also Read: Former Vikings Safety Joins Packers
You must be logged in to post a comment.