Chad Greenway Ruled Out for Sunday, Ending His Consecutive Games Streak
By Dan Zinski
It wasn’t exactly in Jim Marshall or Brett Favre territory, but Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway had a nice little consecutive games streak going. Until this week, that is.
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After failing to come back far enough from injuries to his hand and ribs, injuries that forced him to leave early last weekend against the Saints, Greenway has officially been ruled out for Sunday against the Falcons.
Second-year linebacker Gerald Hodges is expected to get the start at Will linebacker and should see nickel duty as well.
Greenway had played in 115 consecutive games with 90 consecutive starts before this week. The last time the Vikings took the field without Greenway? December 31, 2006.
That’s a pretty impressive durability streak for Greenway, especially when you consider the fairly major dings he’s suffered over the years, including last year’s broken wrist.
No one can question Greenway’s toughness or desire. His production the last couple years? That you can question.
Though, in fairness, I thought Greenway was playing pretty well as the Will in Mike Zimmer’s defense before last week. Zimmer seemed to be getting more out of Greenway than Leslie Frazier was able to get using him as the Sam in his Tampa-2 scheme.
No matter what you think of Greenway, there’s no doubt he’s been a stalwart for the Vikings. There’s also no doubt that, at this point, Gerald Hodges brings more to the table athletically and in terms of playmaking potential.
Greenway’s time may be over, but that’s not necessarily bad news for the Vikings if it allows Hodges to ascend.