The Viking Age » kenny onatolu

E.J. Henderson Misses Friday Practice, Will Probably Sit Vs. Bucs

Dan Zinski — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:53:38 +0000

E.J. Henderson was fine after the game on Sunday and fine in practice early in the week. Then on Thursday morning he woke up with swelling in his knee and was held out of practice. An X-ray on Thursday showed no structural damage. Nonetheless Henderson was held out of practice again on Friday, and will likely be listed as doubtful on the injury report when it is released later this afternoon.

Mark Craig says Erin Henderson got the reps at middle linebacker in practice Friday in place of his brother, while Kenny Onatolu took the snaps at weak-side linebacker. The Vikings’ other linebacker options include Xavier Adibi, who was inactive last week against San Diego, and Larry Dean who is mostly a special teams guy at this point. The Vikings had expected to go into the season with Jasper Brinkley backing up E.J. but Brinkley is on IR after hip surgery.

Last year cornerback was the position that got all messed up because of injuries, this year it’s linebacker. The thing we’re hoping for now is that E.J.’s knee will get better with a week of rest. The X-ray showed no structural damage so hopefully this is just a minor thing that will clear up.

It’s pretty obvious the defense will be without E.J. on Sunday which will be good news for LaGarrette Blount and the rest of the Bucs offense. Erin Henderson will be sorely tested in the middle, a position of much more responsibility than the weak-side. The big question will be, how does Erin hold up in nickel situations where instead of standing on the sideline he will be trying to deal with guys like Kellen Winslow?

Update: Leslie Frazier says E.J. will be a game-time decision. Maybe he’ll play after all.

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Vikings Claim Linebacker Xavier Adibi

Dan Zinski — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 17:23:33 +0000

The Vikings have made a move to bolster their thin linebacker corps, claiming former Texan Xavier Adibi off waivers. Adibi was an outside linebacker in Houston before being moved inside when the team switched to a 3-4 defense. Adibi impressed early in the preseason, notching two sacks in Houston’s game against the Jets, but nevertheless he ended up being cut, a move ESPN AFC South blogger Paul Kuharsky labeled “a surprise.” The Vikes may have claimed Adibi based partially on what they saw from him Thursday night in the preseason finale when he had five tackles and a QB hit.

Maybe the Texans cut Adibi because they wanted to get younger (as Kuharsky says), or maybe they finally didn’t think he fit in their new scheme. Either way he is headed to the Vikings where he will be able to move back outside. Someone will have to be cut to make room for him on the roster, possibly Kenny Onatolu or Larry Dean. It wouldn’t shock me to see Adibi end up challenging Erin Henderson for the starting weak-side linebacker spot. Henderson’s really not that good and Adibi has some experience.

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Training Camp Preview: Linebackers

Dan Zinski — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:24:23 +0000

There’s only one question that really matters when considering the Vikings‘ linebackers going into camp: Is E.J. Henderson back from his broken femur, and can he regain the near-Pro Bowl form he demonstrated in 2007?

Reports are that E.J. is healthy enough right now to fully participate once camp opens. But we’ll have to see how the Vikings decide to play that. They could elect to place Henderson on the PUP list, and bring him along slowly.

As I indicated before, when healthy, Henderson has shown elite skills, especially as a run-stopper and up-the-middle pass rusher. But, the last two years, Henderson’s march to the Pro Bowl was cut short. In 2008, surgery on his left foot ended his year after only four games. And in ’09, as we all vividly remember, he suffered a gruesome leg break against Arizona, and was forced to watch the Vikings’ playoff run from the sidelines.

The man who replaced Henderson last season, Jasper Brinkley, comes into camp as a rising talent. We’re looking for further improvement from Brinkley, who becomes an important player when you consider E.J.’s history of not being able to finish seasons.

As far as the outside spots go, Ben Leber and Chad Greenway are as locked-in as you can get. Rookie Nate Triplett will vie with Kenny Onatolu, J Leman and Erin Henderson to win back-up/special teams roles.

Heath Farwell returns as one of the league’s most fearsome crazy man-crushing special teams bastards.

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