Vikings MLB Audie Cole suffered an ankle fracture Sunday against the Rams as he filled in for injured MLB Eric Kendricks. Cole will miss the rest of the season. We'll see if Kendricks' rib issue allows him to return in Week 10.

Vikings OLB Anthony Barr (back) is active for today's game against the Rams. St. Louis has allowed the league's fewest LB points for the season, which hurts Barr's IDP upside. But his ability as a pass-rusher and cover guy helps the big-play potential. And the Rams' recent reliance on Todd Gurley has increased the tackle supply for opposing LBs a bit. Barr's a decent option next to fill-in MLB Audie Cole, who will start for the injured Eric Kendricks.

The Vikings have ruled MLB Eric Kendricks out for Sunday's game against the Rams with a rib injury. That will press Audie Cole into the starting role but against a team that has provided the fewest LB points in the league.

Vikings LB Jasper Brinkley will start the opener against St. Louis at MLB.  HC Mike Zimmer said, however, that doesn't necessarily make him the guy for the season.  “Jasper’s a little bit more of a thumper in the running game," Zimmer said, per the team website.  "I think this week, they’ve got a good running game. I think their offensive line does a nice job in run blocking, I think it will be a good match for him."  Brinkley entered training camp as the leader in the MLB competition but failed to completely nail down the job.  Don't be surprised if Vikings coaches play the matchups with this spot going forward, as Audie Cole plays much better in pass D.  Neither player makes for an attractive IDP target at this point.  If you need 1, though, favor Brinkley.

FOX Sports North reports that Vikings LB Audie Cole will miss Sunday's finale because of the right ankle sprain that cost him all but 5 snaps in Week 16.  LB Erin Henderson returned to the middle after Cole's injury last Sunday and racked up 12 tackles (7 solo).  He regains IDP upside against Detroit in the finale.

The Vikings announced today that LB Erin Henderson will move back to the weak side, his starting spot over the previous 2 seasons.  That means LB Audie Cole will remain in the middle after replacing Henderson there each of the past 2 weeks.  Henderson has had particular issues in coverage in recent seasons, which makes him a poor bet for 3-down work.  We'll take Cole as the stronger IDP option the rest of the way and wait to see Henderson's role this week before projecting him forward.

It seemed last week as though Vikings coaches were considering moving LB Audie Cole outside after an impressive start in the middle.  Instead, Cole started at MLB again in Week 13, despite Erin Henderson's return.  The team initially said only that Henderson missed Week 12 to tend to a personal matter.  Turns out he had been arrested for DWI earlier that week.  Combine that with unspectacular on-field performance, and you get an opportunity for Cole.  HC Leslie Frazier praised Cole's Week 13 play -- just as he did the week before -- which makes it seem likely that Cole will keep the job.  Henderson could resurface on the weak side, which he played before moving to the middle this season.  But he's a reserve for now and likely no more than a 2-down player even if he gets back into the lineup.  Feel free to drop him from your fantasy football team in IDP formats.  Grab Cole if available after he tallied 9 tackles and a pass breakup in the OT win over the Bears.