Aug 19, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) walks off the field after their pre-season game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports.
VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle each week. All the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for review. Today is the November 10th edition.
Remember — rumors are rumors. What you read on weekends in these pieces is what the world is talking about pertaining to the Vikings, not necessarily items that will come to fruition.
Here’s the second batch of the week. Yesterday’s can be read here.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Friday, “Doug Pederson said it’s trending to Trevor Lawrence not playing Sunday vs. Vikings and Mac Jones would start in his place.”
That means Jones is on the menu.
Conflicting reports accompanied the Lawrence revelation, too, as former NFL head coach Jay Gruden chimed in via social media that Lawrence would need shoulder surgery. “Sources say surgery for Trevor. Damn. Get well man! Hope sources are wrong,” Gruden tweeted.
Comically, the same Rapoport immediately clapped back at the notion of surgery, slapping down the Gruden tweet, “No surgery scheduled, Jay. There are several options immediate and down the road. That’s one of them. He’s considered day-to-day with a left shoulder. But as he considers these options, Trevor Lawrence will likely not play Sunday. Mac Jones is the backup,” Rapoport added.
Regardless, it seems Lawrence will miss Week 10.
The Vikings reportedly did homework on cornerbacks and defensive tackles at the trade deadline but stayed pat. “The Vikings continue to make all sorts of calls trying to upgrade the interior of their defensive line and looking at a cornerback,” Wolfson said on SKOR North airwaves Tuesday just before the deadline
Inspecting those areas for roster improvement makes sense. Without arguments for anyone, Minnesota doesn’t generate much pass rush from the interior of the defensive line, and at cornerback, Akayleb Evans, Dwight McGlother, and Mekhi Blackmon are the only men under contract.
DT and CB will be at the top of everyone’s Vikings-themed offseason wish lists.
Recent trade newcomer Cam Akers, listed as the Vikings’ RB3 heading into Sunday Night Football, took the bulk of RB2 snaps in Minnesota’s 21-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts, a sign that Akers will receive more touches on offense henceforth.
If the trend continues, previous RB2 Ty Chandler could experience a de facto demotion to RB3.
In the 2nd Half against the Colts, after Minnesota had taken the lead following a lackluster 1st and 2nd Quarter, Akers entered the game in relief of Aaron Jones, the RB1, and played phenomenally for a drive. All told, Akers tabulated 53 yards on 8 touches, an impactful stat line as Minnesota needed one of its runners to move the sticks with a lead. Akers did precisely that.
Akers said after Minnesota’s Sunday night dub, “It was a blessing. It all started with the line. When I got the ball, it was open space. When you play running back, that’s the dream. It’s easy to do your job.”
He could already be the new RB2 per carry load.
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.