Vikings already dealing with a concerning injury heading into training camp

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce is reportedly dealing with a calf injury that could prevent him from participating in the early part of the team’s training camp this summer.

Last season, injuries had a tremendous impact on the performance of the Minnesota Vikings, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

In 2020, injuries forced the Vikings defense to take the field without some of their top performers like Anthony Barr, Danielle Hunter, and Eric Kendricks. Unsurprisingly, Minnesota’s defense was one of the worst units in the NFL last season.

Heading into the 2021 campaign, the Vikings are hoping the injury bug doesn’t have as big of an impact on their roster as it did last year. But their hopes took a hit on Monday when it was reported that one of Minnesota’s top defenders is already dealing with an injury.

Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Michael Pierce could reportedly miss the start of training camp

Before the start of last season, the Vikings went out and signed Michael Pierce in free agency to replace Linval Joseph as one of their starting defensive tackles. However, Minnesota was unable to utilize Pierce in 2020 after he opted out of the season due to health concerns related to COVID-19.

Pierce did not opt-out this year, so we should finally get to see him in purple and gold during the upcoming season.

For those looking forward to seeing the big defensive tackle in action during the team’s upcoming training camp, however, that might have to be put on hold for a bit.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Monday, Pierce is currently dealing with a calf injury that he suffered while training that could keep him out of action during the beginning of Minnesota’s training camp.

The Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling also reported that the injury that the Vikings defensive tackle suffered is “fairly minor,” and it’s not expected to keep him out for an extended amount of time.

At this point, the level of concern surrounding Pierce’s injury is fairly low. But the fact that someone who is supposed to be a top contributor in 2021 is already dealing with injury is still not something Minnesota wanted to happen before they even take the field for this summer’s training camp.