Vikings Activate Andrew Sendejo From PUP List
By Dan Zinski
Mike Zimmer will finally get a look at Andrew Sendejo. The safety had been on the shelf since before OTAs with a bad back, and was forced to begin training camp as one of three Vikings on the PUP list. But now at long last, the team has announced that Sendejo has been activated.
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The Vikings’ free safety situation has become something of a drama since the opening of camp, with various players revolving through the position in practice, and others hitting the sidelines with injury.
Robert Blanton came into camp as the starter alongside Harrison Smith, but he has been sidelined with a hamstring. Jamarca Sanford, Mistral Raymond and Kurt Coleman have all gotten looks there in Blanton’s stead, but none seems to have taken hold as the favorite.
Antone Exum remains in the mix but the rookie appears to have a tough grind ahead of him if he wants to claim the starting job.
Now we can drop Sendejo into the equation. The coverage ability he flashed at times in 2013 would seem to give him an advantage over Sanford, who figures as more of an in-the-box player. Coleman is the best cover man among the remaining competitors, but he is questionable as a tackler.
Mike Zimmer is unlikely to find an ideal player from among his options, but Sendejo presents some intriguing possibilities for the innovative defensive mind. He has a little more versatility than some of the other men currently competing for the free safety spot.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see a healthy Sendejo get a firm grip on the starting job and hold it into the season.
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