It’s Same Ol’ Same Ol’ for Ex-Vikings Pass Rusher
Former Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Marcus Davenport didn’t experience too much playing time in the Twin Cities, tabulating a resume of about 3.1 games in 2023.
It’s Same Ol’ Same Ol’ for Ex-Vikings Pass Rusher
And now a member of the Detroit Lions, a Vikings rival, Davenport is off to a rocky start.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Sunday as training camps kick off around the NFL: “The Lions have placed DL DJ Reader, edge Marcus Davenport and DB Brian Branch on the PUP list to begin training camp.”
Of course, Davenport’s season or trajectory isn’t doomed or anything of the sort, but he is picking up where he left off with the Vikings — not available due to injury. Minnesota signed Davenport in March of 2023 as its “other” EDGE defender next to Danielle Hunter after Za’Darius Smith bolted via free agency to the Cleveland Browns. But when the 2023 regular season unfolded, Davenport rarely played after a handful of injuries.
Davenport officially banked four games last season, which was really only three because he tried to play against the Philadelphia Eagles but limped to the sidelines after one drive. He was a difference-maker for three contests and then succumbed to a high ankle sprain. No one heard from him thereafter. His 2023 contract — one year, $13 million — would’ve been more than worth it if he played, but he did not, for the most part.
So, Davenport hit free agency and promptly signed with the Lions for one year and $6.5 million.
The Vikings, on the other hand, signed Jonathan Greenard of the Houston Texans and Andrew Van Ginkel from the Miami Dolphins in March to replace Davenport and Danielle Hunter, who departed for the Houston Texans. And about five weeks after those free-agent additions, Minnesota scooped Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner out of the NFL Draft’s 1st Round.
For context, these are the Lions’ EDGE rushers at the moment:
- Aidan Hutchinson
- Josh Paschal
- John Cominsky
- Marcus Davenport
- James Houston
- Mathieu Betts
- Mitchell Agude
- Isaac Ukwu
- Nate Lynn
Per most unofficial Lions-themed depth chart, Davenport is expected to start in 2024. Stay tuned.
Vikings fans loudly criticized Davenport for a commitment to the team’s success after he never returned from the high ankle sprain, though the theory was never proven. The PUP list fate for Davenport could indicate a graver injury than folks knew about last season.
Minnesota will swallow $6.5 million in dead cap for Davenport’s contract this season.
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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 Sal Spice. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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