NEW ORLEANS – While the Vikings opted to give most of their starters at least a dose of playing time in their preseason opener, they opted for caution with a handful of starters who have been injured during training camp.
Defensive tackles Shamar Stephen and Linval Joseph, as well as offensive tackle Brian O’Neill, were among nine players who did not dress for the Vikings’ opening preseason game on Friday against the Saints. Tight end Kyle Rudolph and running back Dalvin Cook, who have both missed practice time in the past week, were each expected to play.
Stephen began the preseason on the non-football injury list; Joseph has appeared to be rehabbing his shoulder most of training camp (though coach Mike Zimmer has not disclosed where Joseph had offseason surgery).