3 Vikings Players Who Need More Playing Time
The Minnesota Vikings will put their miniature undefeated streak on the line Sunday versus the Houston Texans. The franchise is expected to lose by two points, but it was also supposed to falter by five points last weekend versus the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, Minnesota won by six.
3 Vikings Players Who Need More Playing Time
And the club couldn’t get to 2-0 without production from unsung performers.
So, these are three Vikings players who deserve more playing time, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most deserving of more snaps).
3. Trishton Jackson (WR)
Jackson performed wonderfully in the preseason with multiple quarterbacks at the helm, securing a regular season roster spot in 2024. And with Jordan Addison set to miss his second game of the season due to an ankle injury, the Vikings need unsung players to fill the void.
Jalen Nailor has grabbed the headlines so far, but Jackson should receive more targets in the offense. He deserves and can handle them.
2. Ty Chandler (RB)
Aaron Jones averages 5.9 yards per touch on offense through two games. Guess what? So does Chandler.
Jones receives all the fanfare and headlines because he’s a lovable dude and a defector from the Green Bay Packers, but Chandler is playing equally well out of the gate. Don’t forget that. He’ll be the next man up if injuries hamper Jones — that happens often to Jones — and a significant downgrade will be avoided.
By the end of the season, Jones and Chandler should share touches in the offense 50-50.
1. Taki Taimani (DT)
No Vikings fan — even intense ones who read articles like this — knew what a Taki Taimani was back in April. But he ended up in Minnesota via undrafted free agency, clawing his way up the depth chart and earning a spot on the 53-man roster at the end of the summer.
Through two weeks, defensive coordinator Brian Flores has thrust Taimani into action on 23 defensive plays, where the young defensive tackle has earned a 72.4 Pro Football Focus grade. That’s better than anyone could ask for, especially from an unknown UDFA.
The Vikings don’t have major qualms with the defensive line, but more Taimani snaps will not hurt.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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