Minnesota Vikings Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is active for today's game against the Saints.

Vikings EDGE Za'Darius Smith (knee) is questionable for Sunday morning's game against the Saints. He missed the 1st 2 days of practice this week before putting in a limited Friday workout. Smith probably isn't worth the risk for most IDP lineups, but we'll at least know his status early Sunday with the 9:30 a.m. ET kickoff in London.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (toe) is active for today's game against the Lions. Use him as planned in IDP lineups.

The Vikings have ruled S Harrison Smith (concussion) out for Sunday's game against the Lions. LB Eric Kendricks (toe) is questionable. Kendricks didn't appear on the injury report until Friday, when the issue limited his participation. That's worrisome timing for his Week 3 status. We'll keep an eye on him through Sunday morning.

Vikings S Harrison Smith is in the concussion protocol, HC Kevin O'Connell confirmed Wednesday. We'll see whether he can make it back in time. Josh Metellus and rookie Lewis Cine would be the candidates for the spot should Smith miss further time. Metellus stepped in when Smith left Monday night's loss to the Eagles.

The Vikings grabbed LB Brian Asamoah early in Round 3 of the NFL Draft. Asamoah is smallish at 6'0, 226 pounds, though that's closer to the norm by current NFL standards. He tested well leading up to the draft (74th percentile speed score) after solid college production. Asamoah is likely at least a year away from the opportunity for real playing time in Minnesota, though, with Eric Kendricks and free-agent addition Jordan Hicks in the way.

The Vikings selected CB Andrew Booth in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. Booth might have slid in the draft for injury concerns, but his most recent issue was just a sports hernia. His college numbers don’t point to huge IDP upside in the NFL: 68 total tackles, 5 INTs and 9 passes defensed across 3 seasons. Booth goes to a Minnesota secondary that presents immediate opportunity to compete for a starting gig.

The Vikings spent the final pick of Round 1 on Georgia S Lewis Cine. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah lauded Cine's physicality but called him inconsistent in coverage. Cine did get his hands on 9 passes in his final Bulldogs season but totaled just 2 INTs across his 3 campaigns. He could be in for immediate starting duty with Harrison Smith the only incumbent safety starter in Minnesota.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks landed on the COVID list Monday. He'll have time to return before Sunday's season finale, but we'll see how his situation develops.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks got ejected in the 4th quarter of Monday night's game against the Bears after delivering a shot to the head of Chicago QB Justin Fields. The rookie was clearly in his slide at the end of a scramble, and Kendricks made the helmet-to-helmet hit. We wouldn't bet on a suspension following, but we'll see about any further league action.

The Vikings have downgraded MLB Eric Kendricks (biceps) to out for Sunday's game against the Lions. Minnesota might also be missing LB Anthony Barr, who is questionable with knee and hamstring injuries that allowed him only a limited Friday workout this week. LB Nick Vigil should get full playing time in a friendly setting for tackle opportunities. If Barr is also out, then Troy Dye looks like the next LB up for significant playing time. The Vikings did activate DT Michael Pierce from IR. That follows DT Dalvin Tomlinson's return from the COVID list to replenish the middle of the Minnesota D-line.

Vikings LB Eric Kendricks (biceps) and LB Anthony Barr (knee, hamstring) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Lions. Barr looks more shaky for the game after putting in just 1 limited practice Friday. His absence doesn't matter much for IDP purposes, other than that it would likely mean full playing time for LB Nick Vigil. He has been a much stronger fantasy contributor than Barr this season. Kendricks sandwiched limited practices around a missed Thursday workout. We'll update the statuses for all 3 LBs Sunday morning.

The Vikings on Friday placed DE Everson Griffen on the non-football illness list. That followed an incident earlier in the week in which team mental-health professionals as well as local police were called to Griffen's home. That incident fortunately ended without harm to anyone, but Griffen is getting treatment. It's not the 1st mental-health-related episode of his career. Landing on the NFI list means Griffen will miss at least 3 games, which means you can drop him from IDP rosters. Minnesota is left with D.J. Wonnum, Patrick Jones II and Tashawn Bower on the active roster at DE. Kenny Willekes is also available on the practice squad after a stint on the COVID list.

The Vikings placed S Harrison Smith on the COVID list this morning, meaning he'll miss the game against the Ravens. We'll see about Smith's status for Week 10.

Vikings HC Mike Zimmer confirms that DE Danielle Hunter suffered a pectoral tear Sunday night and will miss the rest of the season. That's a big loss for the Minnesota defense. Hunter's absence leaves Everson Griffen and D.J. Wonnum as the top 2 at the position.

The Vikings fear that DE Danielle Hunter tore a pectoral muscle in Sunday night's loss to the Cowboys, according to multiple reports. If that proves to be the case, it would end Hunter's season. That would leave Everson Griffen and D.J. Wonnum as the team's top 2 at the position, barring a trade ahead of Tuesday's deadline. We'll watch for confirmation on Hunter's status.

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter left Sunday night's game against the Cowboys with a shoulder injury. After initially calling him questionable to return, Minnesota ruled him out for the game near the start of the 2nd half. That doesn't bode well for his immediate outlook. We'll see about the specific diagnosis.

Vikings OLB Anthony Barr (knee) is inactive for today's game against the Browns. That leaves Nick Vigil in place as the #2 LB for Minnesota and a strong option or our IDP lineups.

Vikings OLB Anthony Barr (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns. He's not particularly interesting for IDP use, but Barr's status should affect whether Nick Vigil remains a full-time player. Vigil has delivered top 10 fantasy numbers at the position through 3 games with Barr out. We'll check Barr's status Sunday morning.