Vikings could be without a top defensive back vs. Saints
By Adam Patrick
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mackensie Alexander hasn’t practiced this week due to a knee injury and he’s in danger of not playing against the New Orleans Saints.
Heading into Sunday’s first-round playoff matchup, the Minnesota Vikings will be looking to shut down a New Orleans Saints passing attack led by quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Michael Thomas.
If the Vikings are going to prevent Brees and Thomas from gashing them through the air, they will likely have to do it without one of their top cornerbacks on the field.
Minnesota corner Mackensie Alexander is currently dealing with a knee injury and he hasn’t participated in either of the team’s two practices so far this week. Unless his recovery progresses quickly during the next few days, it seems like the Vikings will be without Alexander’s services when they take on the Saints.
His loss would be a big blow to a Minnesota secondary that has already experienced a bit of regression this year. Primarily lining up in the slot, Alexander has arguably been the Vikings’ best cornerback this season.
Among himself, Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mike Hughes, Alexander’s allowed completion percentage ranked second, his yards per completion ranked first, his touchdowns allowed ranked first, and his allowed passer rating ranked first. He was also the only corner from this group to finish the year with zero missed tackles.
If Alexander is unable to play on Sunday in New Orleans, Hughes will likely take over as the Minnesota corner to primarily work in the slot. For a Vikings secondary that has been improving with the use of a rotation during the last few weeks, not having Alexander could be a big loss.
On a positive note, however, Minnesota linebacker Eric Kendricks was a limited participant during the team’s practice on Thursday and he’s hoping to play against the Saints. Kendricks has been dealing with a quad injury.
Not having Alexander on Sunday will make things more difficult for the Vikings’ secondary. But not having Kendricks out not he field vs. New Orleans would make things more difficult for the entire Minnesota defense.