INDIANAPOLIS — After a while, the days and nights at the NFL Scouting Combine blend together. Here’s what we heard about the Minnesota Vikings in Indianapolis, ranging from the future of quarterback Kirk Cousins to potential defensive upgrades this offseason: 1. Hiring McCown as quarterbacks coach is a multifaceted move In 2015, Josh McCown first met Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell …
EAGAN, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers ruptured his left Achilles tendon in another blow to a banged-up offense, a season-ending injury confirmed Monday by coach Kevin O’Connell. Acquired Sept. 20 in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, Akers had 138 yards on 38 attempts plus 11 receptions for 70 yards in six games for the Vikings. …
They desperately want to run the football effectively. “A main goal of mine is to have some improvement in our running game,” O’Connell, a former quarterback and also the team’s play caller, said. “Depth and continuity for another year are huge.” Last year, Pro Football Focus graded the Vikings’ run-blocking unit as the fourth-best in the NFL. Following that game, …
MINNEAPOLIS — Justin Jefferson said he could sense a lack of energy among his Minnesota Vikings teammates the moment he entered the locker room Sunday morning, and the feeling carried over into a lackluster first quarter. Kirk Cousins threw his first red-zone interception of the season on Minnesota’s first drive deep into Los Angeles territory, and the Vikings had just …