Multiple former Vikings will be seeking revenge on Sunday in Minnesota

The roster of the Chicago Bears features multiple former Minnesota Vikings players that will have something to prove when the two teams play in Week 5.

When the Minnesota Vikings take on the Chicago Bears this Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, there will be a handful of players inside the visiting team’s locker room that are very familiar with the building that this weekend’s NFC North battle will take place in.

Heading into Week 5, the Bears’ current roster includes five players that have previously spent part of their NFL careers as a member of the Vikings. It’s a group that includes fullback Khari Blasingame, offensive tackle Riley Reiff, quarterback Trevor Siemian, wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette, and defensive lineman Armon Watts.

But that’s not all. Chicago’s practice squad features a pair of former Minnesota defenders in cornerback Harrison Hand and defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes as well and the Bears’ injured reserve list currently has two spots that being taken up by former Vikings players, offensive lineman Dakota Dozier and wide receiver Tajae Sharpe.

Will any former Minnesota Vikings players lead the Chicago Bears to a win in Week 5?

With Hand and Holmes on Chicago’s practice squad, Minnesota could potentially see seven of their former players on the opposite sideline on Sunday.

Hand certainly has a shot to get called up to the active roster this weekend as the Bears listed cornerback Jaylon Johnson as doubtful on their final injury report on Friday due to a quad injury.

Holmes’ chances of getting added to the active roster before Sunday likely aren’t as high since he just signed with Chicago’s practice squad on Tuesday.

Blasingame, who spent part of the 2019 season with the Vikings, should be on the field on Sunday. He’s appeared in all four of the Bears’ games this year, with snaps on both offense and special teams.

Reiff has appeared in three of Chicago’s games this season, but he’s only been on the field for a grand total of 13 snaps. After starting 58 contests for Minnesota from 2017 to 2020, he’s currently the backup left tackle for the Bears.

In order for the Vikings to see Siemian take a snap this weekend, Chicago quarterback Justin Fields would likely have to suffer some sort of injury. Siemian is currently the Bears’ No. 2 signal-caller and he’s yet to appear in a game for them this season.

Smith-Marsette hasn’t really done much for Chicago since they claimed him off waivers before the start of the regular season. The former Minnesota receiver has appeared in every game for the Bears this year, but he’s only been on the field for 17 snaps, and he still hasn’t registered his first catch of the season.

Watts is the guy who likely has the best chance to make an impact against his former team. He was in the starting lineup for Chicago last week, and even if he doesn’t start on Sunday, he should still get a good amount of action since he’s been on the field for at least 30 percent of the Bears’ defensive snaps in three of their four games this season. In his four appearances for Chicago this year, Watts has accumulated four tackles and one pressure.