Sendejo out again; Rhodes active vs. Lions

Vikings S Andrew Sendejo (groin) will miss his 4th straight game today. He's inactive for the clash with the Lions. Lead CB Xavier Rhodes, however, will play through a "questionable" tag for a foot issue.

The Vikings have reached a deal to make Brian Flores their new DC. Flores spent last year as a defensive assistant in Pittsburgh after a messy breakup with the Dolphins. His Miami defenses improved from 32nd in Football Outsiders’ DVOA his first season to 11th and 10th in his final two. Before that, Flores spent 15 years under HC Bill Belichick in New England, including stints coaching safeties and LBs. He inherits a talented Vikings D that fell from 16th in 2021 DVOA to 27th this past season

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.

Minnesota added LB Eric Kendricks to the injury report Thursday, when he missed practice with a quad issue. We'll see whether he makes it back onto the field Friday. DE Everson Griffen also sat out with a concussion, which doesn't bode well for his Week 2 readiness. OLB Anthony Barr looks poised to miss at least 1 more game with the knee injury that kept him out of the opener. That would mean another start for Nick Vigil, assuming he's healthy enough to play. Vigil was limited Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle issue. We'll see about his game status after Friday's practice.

The Vikings have hired Norv Turner as their new OC.  He'll run the offense under defensive-minded HC Mike Zimmer.  Turner has had mixed results as a HC but is highly-regarded as a play-caller.  He helped Browns WR Josh Gordon and TE Jordan Cameron to breakout seasons this past year.  Turner favors a run-first attack and a vertical passing game.  He also likes to get his TEs involved in the aerial attack.  His arrival is good news for RB Adrian Peterson, WR Cordarrelle Patterson and TE Kyle Rudolph.  Of course, Minnesota still needs to find an answer at TE.