The Minnesota Vikings Need A Healthy Kyle Rudolph For 2015

Fans of the Minnesota Vikings are excited about the possibility of their team making a run at the playoffs this year. Much of the talk about the team surrounds running back Adrian Peterson and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but one guy that could have another big impact on the 2015 NFL season is tight end Kyle Rudolph.

Offensive coordinator Norv Turner knows just how important having the former Notre Dame tight end on the field can be. Rudolph offers a great combination of size, speed, and soft hands that could make things easier on a young quarterback and play caller. Here is what Turner had to say about Kyle Rudolph’s health and importance in a recent article on the Fox Sports website.

"“He’s had a great offseason with his body to try to make sure he doesn’t have those nagging injuries,” Turner said Thursday. “When he’s healthy and running like he’s been the last three weeks, it’s exciting to have him. We’ll get some coverage on the outside with the speed that we have, he can open it up a lot. He’ll get matchups. If they’re going to play eight-man fronts, the tight end gets great matchups through the passing game. It’s nice having him.”"

Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph (82) against the New England Patriots at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not only Norv Turner that is enjoying having Kyle Rudolph around. Prior to last season, the team invested $36.5 million in him to be distributed over 5 seasons in order to help out Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings offense.

"“I’ll tell you what’s even a better addition is having Kyle Rudolph back healthy,” Bridgewater said. “He’s like a whole new player on the team.”"

Kyle Rudolph also echos the thought of him being like a whole new player.

"“I’m a different piece than I was last year,” Rudolph said. “Having two good hips and being able to run around like I used to, I feel like I can have a much bigger impact on this offense like I did, say, in last November when I came back after the surgery.”"

The Minnesota Vikings are counting on Kyle Rudolph to be a big contributor this year. But that’s not to say that the team isn’t taking precautions. They’ve already got solid backups in Chase Ford and Rhett Ellison returning from last season. Plus, the team went out during free agency to get Brandon Bostick from Green Bay as well as drafted a young, talented guy in the fifth round of the draft named MyCole Pruitt.

If something does happen this season and Rudolph is unable to take the field, expect those guys to try to pick up the slack. However, none of the team’s backups can offer the kind of length and pass catching ability that Kyle Rudolph can. Fingers are crossed all around Vikings nation that this is the year that Kyle Rudolph can repeat his 2012 campaign where he scored 9 touchdowns and played in all 16 regular season games for the team.

Knock on wood.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

The Minnesota Vikings Need A Healthy Kyle Rudolph For 2015

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