Former Vikings Star Won’t Get a Shot at Revenge in Week 3

Josh Frey |

Sep 23, 2023

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In Week 3 of the NFL regular season, the Los Angeles Chargers and Minnesota Vikings will meet inside U.S. Bank Stadium.

Both teams are hoping to avoid a disastrous 0-3 start to the season after playoff berths in 2022. However, injuries have struck on each roster ahead of this game, and for the Chargers, this means a former Vikings star won’t get a chance at a revenge game.

On LA’s final injury report ahead of Week 3, the Chargers listed two players as out for Sunday. One is star RB Austin Ekeler, and the other is LB Eric Kendricks, who played his first eight seasons in the NFL with the Vikings.

A Former Viking Won’t Get His Revenge Game

Former Vikings Star — Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Camryn Bynum (24) and linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) react after New York Jets wide receiver Braxton Berrios (10) drops a touchdown pass late during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Kendricks was selected in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Vikings, and almost immediately, he became a crucial part of their defensive scheme.

Over his eight seasons in Minnesota, Kendricks started 113 games for the Vikings, recording 919 tackles, 54 TFLs, 15 sacks, 51 PDs, 9 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 6 fumble recoveries.

For his efforts in 2019, Kendricks was named a first-team All-Pro during that season as he helped the Vikings to a 10-6 record as they allowed the fifth fewest points in the league that season.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers — Jan 1, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari (69) blocks Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) during the third quarter of their game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Kendricks remained a solid starter in Minnesota, but especially during 2022, he certainly took a step back in his performance. Considering the Vikings had to free up over $24 million in cap space in order to become cap compliant by free agency, and Kendricks was due $11.43 million in 2023, his name was often one to come up as a potential cap casualty.

After the Vikings released him, Kendricks signed a new two-year deal with the Chargers worth up to $13.25 million. He recorded 7 tackles and defended a pass in LA’s Week 1 matchup against the Dolphins, but he has been out ever since with a hamstring injury.

Sep 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) hangs on to the ball for a complete pass and first down in front of Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Without Kendricks in the lineup, the Chargers will turn to a linebacker committee that includes Kenneth Murray, Nick Niemann, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Daiyan Henley, and Tanner Muse.

Meanwhile, the Vikings will head into this game without one of their own free agency acquisitions, OLB Marcus Davenport. He has played just four snaps to this point in the 2023 season after signing a one-year deal with the Vikings back in March. During his first five seasons with the New Orleans Saints, he recorded 21.5 sacks in 64 games.

Kickoff between the Chargers and Vikings is scheduled for 12 PM Central on Sunday, September 24th.

NOTE: This article originally appeared on our sister-site, PurplePTSD.com.

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Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.