The 2022 draft class has been on the receiving end of criticism for a couple of years. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was new in his job, and the Vikings underwent a regime change in that offseason, including cleaning house on the coaching staff, resulting in scheme changes. The scouts, however, remained from the Spielman era. The result was a disastrous draft.
Vikings TE Celebrates an Early Birthday Gift
Defensive backs Lewis Cine and Andrew Booth are off the team, linebacker Brian Asamoah is an afterthought, and right guard Ed Ingram was benched last week because of performance-related issues.
At least some of the day-three picks have earned roles. Cornerback Akayleb Evans started in 2023, and Jalen Nailor emerged as the team’s WR3 this year. Running back Ty Chandler has gotten some carries over the years, too.
The final pick of that class was tight end Nick Muse out of the University of South Carolina. His practice window has just been opened after a stint on the injured reserve because of a fractured hand.
On Wednesday, Craig Peters wrote on Vikings.com: “The Vikings on Wednesday announced tight end Nick Muse has returned to practice. The move opens a 21-day evaluation window for Muse, who was placed on short-term Injured Reserve on Sept. 18 after sustaining what Head Coach Kevin O’Connell described as a ‘small fracture’ in his hand.”
The Vikings listed him as a full participant in his first practice on Wednesday.
His status for Sunday’s contest in Chicago with the division rival Bears is unclear as the team has 21 days to activate him from IR after opening the practice window.
A return couldn’t come at a better time as fellow tight end Josh Oliver notched the lone did not practice label with wrist and ankle injuries.
Minnesota employs six tight ends, with T.J. Hockenson as the main character in the room, supported by blocking specialist Oliver, who has recently made some noise as a pass-catcher. Johnny Mundt is a favorite of head coach Kevin O’Connell as a do-it-all player.
On the practice squad, the team has veteran Robert Tonyan, who made some appearances earlier in the season, and Sammis Reyes, a 29-year-old player from Chile who played in 11 games on the then-Washington Football Team in 2021.
If Muse isn’t ready and Oliver is forced to sit out, Tonyan would likely suit up on Sunday.
Muse will turn 26 on Monday, so his return to the practice field is some kind of an early birthday present. The former seventh-rounder is in his third season with the club, and he has played in 14 games for the Vikings, catching one pass for 22 yards.
In each of the last two preseasons, Muse showcased his pass-catching ability, but he hasn’t had the opportunity to replicate that in the regular season, with only five snaps on offense in his career. The majority of his work comes on special teams, and barring injuries to the three guys ahead of him, that is unlikely to change.
A fascinating element of his injury is that he sustained the fractured hand at some point during the team’s Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers and still managed to secure the game-clinching onside kick.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt
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