Chad Greenway starts at MLB with Eric Kendricks still out

Chad Greenway is being phased back in for the Vikings, at least on a temporary basis.

With rookie MLB Eric Kendricks (ribs) declared inactive for today’s game and backup Audie Cole on IR with a broken ankle, the veteran Greenway gets the call as the starting MLB.

We won’t know for sure until the game actually starts but presumably Greenway will be staying in with the nickel defense as well.

A big part of the reason the Vikings installed the now-traded Gerald Hodges and then Kendricks as starters was to get Greenway off the field in nickel situations.

The thinking was that Greenway could still be an effective player in spots but that leaving him and his aging legs out there on every down would compromise the Vikings’ pass defense too much.

But injuries come along and you’re forced to scrap your plans. So it is for the Vikings this week.

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Greenway did perform well last week in a game where the Vikings were very often in their base defense.

The Vikings are going up against Oakland this week, a team that likes to pass the ball, so they should be in nickel a fair amount.

We’ll see how Mike Zimmer rotates his players through and how many snaps Greenway actually gets.

With Greenway moving inside to the Mike, Brandon Watts gets a start at the Will. Newly-acquired LB Jason Trusnik is also active for this game.

Active for the Vikings as well is DT Sharrif Floyd. Teddy Bridgewater will also play as expected.

Oakland’s inactives include starting center Rodney Hudson.

Good luck against Linval Joseph, Raiders backup center.