Vikings preview: Five defensive backups who could play key roles this season
While the Vikings are hoping to avoid injuries, the reality is they have to be prepared to deal with starters missing time. Here's a handful of players who could end up filling the void.
It’s inevitable that the Vikings will have injury issues this season. The hope is that there won’t be too many players who miss time, but there is no getting around the fact that each of the 32 NFL teams will have to rely on backups at some point.
With that in mind, here are five Vikings defensive reserves who could play key roles before the season is over. Five offensive backups will be featured on Saturday.
DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins: The fifth-round selection from Georgia already was my choice to be the Vikings’ draft pick who will make the biggest impact this season. Ingram-Dawkins figures to be used in a rotational role, but starters Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen both dealt with injury issues in 2024. Hargrave, 32, played in only three games before being sidelined by a partially torn right triceps, and Allen, 30, was limited to eight games because of a partially torn left pectoral muscle. Hargrave had missed only three games in the previous four seasons before 2024, and Allen missed only two games in that time. The Vikings are hoping that durability will return for both, but Ingram-Dawkins was impressive in training camp and his athletic ability and versatility make him a candidate to see more playing time if anything happens to either veteran.
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez: A seventh-round selection from Texas A&M–Commerce in 2024, Rodriguez played in two games during his rookie season and was inactive for the other 15. That figures to change this year. Rodriguez, who is listed at 6-2, 307 pounds, is known for his high energy and outstanding work ethic. Rodriguez missed practice time during training camp after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason opener against the Houston Texans, but he returned to record a sack in the exhibition finale at Tennessee. Rodriguez should be a part of the defensive line rotation and, like Ingram-Dawkins, could see more playing time if there are injuries up front.
LB Eric Wilson: The Vikings brought back the 30-year-old this offseason primarily because of his prowess on special teams. But it wouldn’t be surprising if Wilson gets playing time on defense. He played 51 percent of the defensive snaps with the Green Bay Packers last season, starting 12 of the 17 games in which he appeared. Wilson replaces Kamu Grugier-Hill, who was used primarily on special teams but did make one start at linebacker and had two interceptions on the season. The Vikings’ starting linebackers in 2024, Ivan Pace and Blake Cashman, missed six and three games, respectively, and Wilson likely will be the first man up if something happens to either one. Sixth-round linebacker Kobe King also could be an option.