News & Info/Headlines
Click Here For Most Recent Stories.
Vikings Stick With Dobbs As Starting QB; Jefferson Works Fully
Following up on this week's Team Notes. ... Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on Wednesday announced Josh Dobbs will be the starting quarterback in Minnesota's Week 14 game against the Raiders in Las Vegas.
O'Connell and his staff spent their Week 13 bye evaluating the offense and contemplating what to do at the quarterback position.
Ultimately, the group decided on Dobbs, who joined Minnesota after a trade with Arizona on Oct. 31, and has played in the four games since, including the past three starts.
Minnesota will aim to blend the offense it's been building since O'Connell's hire in 2022 with approaches to maximize Dobbs' strengths.
Dobbs was electric in his first two games with Minnesota. He led a game-winning drive against Atlanta and helped generate 27 points in a home victory versus the Saints. Dobbs accounted for 536 yards (passing and rushing) and four total touchdowns.
The Vikings, however, have scored just 33 points in the past 10 quarters with Dobbs. Despite seven combined turnovers in losses to the Broncos (two fumbles lost and an interception) and Bears (four interceptions), there is reason for optimism. The Vikings still rank 12th in point differential and are in top half of the league in most efficiency statistics (like DOVA and EPA).
Star receiver Justin Jefferson, who was a full participant in Wednesday's practice -- his first full session since his hamstring injury in Week 5, is set to return this week.
That should help Dobbs and the entire offense find more consistency.
O'Connell considered Nick Mullens, who has returned from Injured Reserve but hasn't played since the preseason, and rookie Jaren Hall, who started at Atlanta but left the game early with a concussion.
Mullens has played in 19 career games and has 16 starts. His 4,405 passing yards in his first 16 starts is the second-most by any quarterback in NFL history in that span, trailing only Patrick Mahomes. Hall impressed in the lead-up to his Week 9 start. He even completed a 47-yard pass and finished 5-of-6 before leaving the game late in the first quarter.
Also of great interest. ... The Vikings also saw cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf) have a full practice Wednesday.
Safety Theo Jackson (illness) is the only Vikings player who didn't practice.
Running back Kene Nwangwu (concussion) and cornerback NaJee Thompson (knee) were limited.
O'Connell and his staff spent their Week 13 bye evaluating the offense and contemplating what to do at the quarterback position.
Ultimately, the group decided on Dobbs, who joined Minnesota after a trade with Arizona on Oct. 31, and has played in the four games since, including the past three starts.
Minnesota will aim to blend the offense it's been building since O'Connell's hire in 2022 with approaches to maximize Dobbs' strengths.
Dobbs was electric in his first two games with Minnesota. He led a game-winning drive against Atlanta and helped generate 27 points in a home victory versus the Saints. Dobbs accounted for 536 yards (passing and rushing) and four total touchdowns.
The Vikings, however, have scored just 33 points in the past 10 quarters with Dobbs. Despite seven combined turnovers in losses to the Broncos (two fumbles lost and an interception) and Bears (four interceptions), there is reason for optimism. The Vikings still rank 12th in point differential and are in top half of the league in most efficiency statistics (like DOVA and EPA).
Star receiver Justin Jefferson, who was a full participant in Wednesday's practice -- his first full session since his hamstring injury in Week 5, is set to return this week.
That should help Dobbs and the entire offense find more consistency.
O'Connell considered Nick Mullens, who has returned from Injured Reserve but hasn't played since the preseason, and rookie Jaren Hall, who started at Atlanta but left the game early with a concussion.
Mullens has played in 19 career games and has 16 starts. His 4,405 passing yards in his first 16 starts is the second-most by any quarterback in NFL history in that span, trailing only Patrick Mahomes. Hall impressed in the lead-up to his Week 9 start. He even completed a 47-yard pass and finished 5-of-6 before leaving the game late in the first quarter.
Also of great interest. ... The Vikings also saw cornerback Akayleb Evans (calf) have a full practice Wednesday.
Safety Theo Jackson (illness) is the only Vikings player who didn't practice.
Running back Kene Nwangwu (concussion) and cornerback NaJee Thompson (knee) were limited.
Click Here To Return To The Headlines.