Aviante Collins missed last season due to torn biceps but is feeling great and looking forward to helping out the Minnesota Vikings during the 2019 season.
Last year was a rough year for the offensive line of the Minnesota Vikings. Players shifted positions, the coaching staff was reeling from a huge loss, and running backs struggled to get past the line of scrimmage on a regular basis.
One player who had to watch all this from the outside was Aviante Collins, who suffered a torn biceps during practice which caused him to be placed on injured reserve and miss the entire 2018 NFL season.
It appears as though Collins will be back with the team for 2019 as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press reported on Twitter that the offensive lineman is ready to go after recovering fully from his injury.
#Vikings Aviante Collins feeling great after missing last year with torn right biceps. “I’m fully recovered. My bicep is feeling good. … Coming back from injury, I got a lot to prove. Missing all of last year hurt.’’ Collins not sure of 2019 role yet. He can play tackle /guard.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) May 13, 2019
It is great to hear the focus and determination of Collins, who should be seen as a backup player who could be the team’s fourth offensive tackle on the roster with the ability to move inside to guard if necessary.
Strangely, at this time it seems as though Riley Reiff will be the only starter on the offensive line to come back in the same position from last season since Pat Elflein will likely move to guard, rookie Garrett Bradbury taking over at center, Josh Kline the favorite to start at right guard, and Brian O’Neill taking over at right tackle.
Despite all those new bodies in new places, Collins should be able to prove his value to the team in a backup role and should be included in the team’s final 53 man roster unless he happens to be beaten out by a rookie or other player during the preseason and training camp.