Mike Remmers may finally return to the field for the Vikings this week
By Adam Patrick
Out with a concussion since Week 8, the Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman has a good chance to play this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.
This season, the Minnesota Vikings have been experiencing a bunch of success and a lot of their good performances have had to do with how well the offensive line has been playing each week. The Vikings’ blockers have only allowed their quarterbacks to be sacked 12 times this year and Minnesota’s running game is currently the sixth-best in the entire NFL.
Even when some of their starters have been forced to miss a game or two because of an injury, the Vikings’ offensive line has still been able to perform at a high-level in 2017.
One of those starters who has not played in a game since Week 8 against the Cleveland Browns could be making his return to the field this Sunday when Minnesota takes on the Atlanta Falcons. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer confirmed on Wednesday that right tackle Mike Remmers has cleared the team’s concussion protocol and will be practicing this week.
Zimmer says RT Mike Remmers is out of concussion protocol, and was before Detroit game. Won’t say why Remmers didn’t play. Will get some work in practice today.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 29, 2017
Zimmer added that Remmers was cleared before the Vikings played the Detroit Lions last Thursday, but the head coach decided not to play him just yet.
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In his first season as Minnesota’s right tackle, Remmers has been quite the pleasant surprise. Some felt the Vikings possibly overpaid him this past offseason to add him to their roster, but the offensive lineman has been one of the best in the league at his position this year.
His weaknesses still show up when pass blocking sometimes, but his ability to pummel people in the run game is a big reason for Minnesota’s rushing attack being so improved from just a season ago.
In Remmers’ absence, the Vikings have gotten good play out of backup offensive tackle Rashod Hill. But Minnesota did not sign Remmers to a $30 million contract in March for him to sit on the bench, so he will be back in the starting lineup whenever the team feels he is healthy enough to do so.
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Having their starting right tackle back on the field this week would be great for a Vikings team that could possibly decide to lean heavy on their ground game against the Falcons and their poor run defense.