Vikings News: Nick Mullens, Duke Shelley, Danielle Hunter, Andrew DePaola

Former Minnesota Vikings CB Duke Shelley recovering from injury just in time to help Los Angeles Rams

One of the biggest shocks of Minnesota's 2023 offseason was their decision not to re-sign cornerback Duke Shelley.

Shelley had a career-best performance in 2022, and bringing him back for at least one more season seemed like an easy decision for the Vikings to make. But for whatever reason, Minnesota opted not to re-sign him, and eventually, the veteran corner signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.

After the Raiders decided not to keep him on their final 2023 roster, Shelley was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams, and he's appeared in 11 games this season.

A hamstring injury ended up landing the former Vikings cornerback on injured reserve a few weeks ago, and he hasn't been active for a game since Week 12. But, on Wednesday, the Rams announced that Shelley has been designated to return from injured reserve, and his 21-day practice window has begun.

Los Angeles has already qualified for a playoff spot this season and they're already planning to rest a number of their top players for their Week 18 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

When it comes time for the Rams to take part in one of this season's wild-card playoff matchups, Shelley could potentially be recovered enough by then to return from his injury.

Most of the former Minnesota corner's snaps with the Rams this season have come on special teams, so he'll probably return to a similar role if he's able to get back in time for the opening round of the playoffs.

And at the very least, he can provide Los Angeles with some added depth in their cornerback room. Something the Vikings could have used this season.