3 Bold Predictions: Minnesota Vikings vs. San Francisco 49ers – Preseason Week 2
By Chris Schad
Ed Ingram is done playing with the second team
The Vikings held 11 starters out of last week’s opener but one exception was the offensive line. Sean Mannion started the game behind the top unit and outside of a sack allowed by Jesse Davis, the top unit took a step toward solidifying their final lineup.
That process continued this week when Ed Ingram passed Davis on the depth chart. The second-round pick was spectacular during his preseason debut, ranking fifth among guards playing at least 20 percent of snaps in Pro Football Focus’s overall grades.
The book on Ingram coming into the year was that he excelled in pass protection but needed to work on getting to the second level. That development is coming along nicely as Ingram ranked fifth among guards with an 89.3 run blocking rating on nine zone blocking plays last week.
Although he allowed one pressure on 16 pass-blocking snaps, Ingram already looks better than Week 1 starter Jesse Davis, who was bowled over by Javon Kinlaw earlier this week.
It’s still early but Ingram looks like a player the Vikings can’t afford to lose. While the Vikings may give him the start to gain familiarity with his linemates, Ingram shouldn’t be in the game long and should be on track to start against the Packers.