An extra step in preparation last week required Kyle Rudolph to be fitted for a helmet with a microphone, because the Vikings’ trust in their longest-tenured player extends to a throwing arm that hasn’t been tested in a game since fourth grade.
Rudolph, the Vikings’ iron man tight end making his 98th consecutive start Sunday against the Jaguars, sets a standard of reliability. That led him to be picked as the emergency quarterback last Sunday against the Panthers behind Kirk Cousins and Sean Mannion, when the normal option, receiver Adam Thielen, was unavailable.
“They trust me that I wouldn’t screw it up,” Rudolph said.