Fantasy Football: 6 Takeaways From Preseason Week 1
The Vikings' Offensive Line Could Still Be an Issue
There has (justifiably) been a good bit of buzz around the Minnesota Vikings' offense entering 2017. It's their second year with Sam Bradford at the helm, and Bradford was better than you may have thought in 2016. On top of that, they added Dalvin Cook in the draft and finally got healthy on the offensive line. What's not to love?
There's just one teeny, tiny issue. That offensive line? It's already not healthy.
#Vikings out tonight, Brian Robison, Riley Reiff, Latavius Murray, Laquon Treadwell, Jabari Price, Kentrell Brothers, Jerick McKinnon
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) August 10, 2017
The Vikings signed Riley Reiff to a five-year deal with $26.3 million guaranteed, hoping they'd cure their left-tackle woes from a season ago. Reiff got injured early in camp, forcing him to miss the team's preseason opener. And it showed with Bradford getting sacked twice in just nine drop backs.
Reiff returned to practice on Sunday, according to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, but having a key cog in the rebuilt line dinged up is far from optimal. Any injuries up front would have a major effect on Cook and all of the pass catchers, so this is clearly still a situation to monitor.
If Reiff is able to continue practicing, then it's full steam ahead here. But it doesn't appear as if the offensive line will suddenly be a strength. Keep track of the health of the big guys up front here, and if things don't start trending up, it may be time to get a bit wary.
