Andrew Sendejo Starts At Safety Even With Robert Blanton Active
By Dan Zinski
The Vikings have made a non-injury-related tweak to their starting lineup. Today against Miami, Andrew Sendejo will get the start at safety even though Robert Blanton, a starter for most of the season, is available.
More from Minnesota Vikings News
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022
- Vikings have reportedly begun extension talks with T.J. Hockenson
Blanton missed last week’s game against Detroit after suffering a leg injury against the Jets. In Blanton’s place, Sendejo amassed six tackles while showing his usual physicality. After coming in for Blanton two weeks ago against the Jets, Sendejo had two tackles and a forced fumble.
Why the switch from Blanton to Sendejo? It could be that Blanton is not all the way back from his injury and the Vikings are trying to protect him. Or it could be that Sendejo impressed Mike Zimmer enough to wrest the starting job away from Blanton.
Sendejo certainly has looked active and strong when he’s been out there. Blanton has done a decent job in coverage at times and has graded out well against the run, but he’s also shown a tendency to get blown up by stronger players and he’s taken some glaringly bad angles.
The point on Blanton is that, though he’s been good at times, he hasn’t been what you would call great. So the idea that Mike Zimmer might choose to take a look at Andrew Sendejo even with Blanton healthy and able to play isn’t exactly outrageous.
Sendejo may have his limitations but he is also a very active player who hits hard and brings some intimidation factor to the defense. Whatever you think of Robert Blanton, he is not intimidating by any measure.