Former Minnesota Vikings in the XFL: Week 1 recap

Other former Vikings around the XFL in Week 1

Overall, it wasn’t a terrific week for former Vikings in the XFL, but there were still several players who made their debut in the league’s return. With each of these players being lone representatives on their team, here’s a rundown on how they fared.

Jhurell Pressley – RB

Jhurell Pressley was one of the few former Vikings to get an expanded role in the opening week and with the XFL looking a lot like a passing league, he did well with the D.C. Defenders. The New Mexico product ran for 31 yards on 12 carries as the Defenders took out the Seattle Dragons by a score of 31-19.

Will Sutton – DT

Will Sutton also received an expanded role in the first game of the revived XFL, but he took his shots at stopping Pressley as a member of the Seattle Dragons. A 2017 free-agent signing by Minnesota, Sutton was PFF’s top-graded interior defender in the XFL in Week 1, collecting three tackles (one for a loss) and 0.5 sacks in the Dragons’ win over Pressley’s Defenders.

Taylor Heinicke – QB

As the owner of one of the most tremendous training camp injuries in Vikings history, Taylor Heinicke didn’t see the field in the Battlehawks’ victory over the Renegades.

However, he did have one of the best moments of Week 1, going full Stone Cold Steve Austin on a pair of seltzers after the game.