Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said linebacker Anthony Barr, who hasn’t practiced in more than three weeks and sat out the entire preseason, is making good progress in his recovery from what Pro Football Talk has reported is a knee injury.
“I hate to say it because (the media) will say I’m wrong if I’m wrong, but he’s doing really good,” Zimmer said Monday. “We’ve got a good plan for him to get him ready to go.”
That could mean there is increased optimism that Barr will be ready for the Sept. 12 opener at Cincinnati. During Monday’s practice, Barr rode a stationary bike.
Other players who did not practice were Irv Smith Jr., who this week will have knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus; running backs Alexander Mattison and Kene Nwangwu; receivers Chad Beebe and Dan Chisena; tackle Christian Darrisaw; guard Dru Samia, and safeties Josh Metellus and Luther Kirk. Returning to practice after being out due to leg injuries were wide receiver Adam Thielen and tight end Tyler Conklin.
A source said Kirk suffered a hamstring injury in last Friday’s preseason finale at Kansas City, which likely will sideline him from two to four weeks. The most likely scenario is Kirk is waived Tuesday with an injury designation, he gets an injury settlement and then he could return to Minnesota’s practice squad later in the season.
BATTLE AT DE
Stephen Weatherly said Monday he has “no idea” whether he or D.J. Wonnum will start at defensive end to open the season.
“That’s a Zim thing,” he said about the head coach, who has been coy about the position battle. “I think I had a good camp. I got better from the first to the second (preseason) game and from the second to the third. I came out each week and worked on something I had to work on every day to get better… At the end of the day, it’s in the coach’s hands on who’s going to be the starter.”
Barring injuries, Weatherly and Wonnum are battling for Minnesota’s last open starting spot.
CUTDOWN DAY LOOMS
Like all NFL teams, the Vikings must get their roster down to the regular-season maximum of 53 players by 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The Vikings are at 76 players, so moves must be made on 23 of them. However, many of the players let go who clear waivers will be signed Wednesday to the 16-man practice squad.
“We’re still trying to find the best football players,” Zimmer said. “At the end of the day, at this time it becomes a business. You’ve got to find who you think can help you throughout the season.”
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Vikings’ Mike Zimmer says injured Anthony Barr ‘doing really good’ as regular season approaches - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
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