Popular Viking Will Soon Return
Did you miss Will Reichard?
Popular Viking Will Soon Return
The popular Minnesota Vikings kicker injured his quad last month in a win over the Indianapolis Colts, causing the rookie kicker to hit injured reserve. Reichard missed four games.
But he’s on a path back.
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Tuesday, “The specialists are back: The Vikings have designated K Will Reichard and LS Andrew DePaolo to return to practice, as both of their windows are open from IR.”
CBS Sports via RotoWire provided more context. “The transaction opens up a 21-day window during which the Vikings can evaluate Reichard before he would need to be activated from injured reserve or shut down for the remainder of the season,” the site added.
“Reichard has missed the minimum four games while on IR, so if the Vikings are comfortable with where he stands in his recovery from a right quad strain after checking him out in practice this week, he could be added back to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday’s game against the Falcons. John Parker Romo has filled in as the Vikings’ kicker for the past four games, converting 11 of 12 field-goal attempts and seven of eight point-after attempts.”
Without Reichard, the Vikings leaned on unknown specialist Parker Romo, who mostly performed well. In four games, Romo missed an extra point and one field goal, but ask most Vikings fans, and they’ll say, “Job well done,” regarding his contributions. The man had the clutch kicking gene, which is not commonplace in Minnesota.
Onlookers will also watch to see where Romo lands — it’s unlikely that Minnesota would keep two kickers in its roster orbit. Romo played well enough as a Viking to merit a starter’s job somewhere in the NFL. Stay tuned.
Before the quad injury, Reichard kicked perfectly, only firing up two misses in the game against the Colts when the quad malady arose. Most Vikings faithful suspected the injured quad had something to do with his gaffes that Sunday.
Minnesota found Reichard in Round 6 of April’s draft, and he immediately solidified the kicking job. For years — decades, even — Vikings fans have lived with kicker-related dread, dating back to the 1998 NFC Championship. Outside of a stretch with kicker Ryan Longwell 15 years ago, snakebitten tendencies have accompanied Vikings football, and that’s just the way it is. For two months, Reichard changed that. He inspired confidence and dependability.
Back in April, some purple onlookers were initially confused by the Reichard draft selection. A handful of football fans don’t believe in investing draft capital in kickers, considering them “non-premium” players. But Minnesota disagreed and used a 6th-Round pick on Reichard. Few have complained since about the pick.
The next step with Reichard’s practice window opening is determining his go-live date. He’s not guaranteed to kick this Sunday against the Falcons, but it won’t be weird at all if he’s ready.
If Reichard does not play this weekend, Romo would get the nod for a fifth game.
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 Vikings 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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