Vikings Replace Carson Wentz by Poaching Packers Pass Catcher
The Minnesota Vikings placed Carson Wentz on injured reserve and used the available roster spot for a reunion at the Green Bay Packers‘ expense.
On Monday, October 27, the Vikings claimed tight end Ben Sims after the Packers waived him to create roster space for Christian Watson, who was returning from an ACL injury.
Ideally, the Packers would have re-signed Sims to the practice squad if he went unclaimed, but given the Vikings’ familiarity with Sims, who got his first shot in the NFL from the Vikings in 2023, it was an opportune time to bolster their tight end depth.
Sims, 25, went undrafted in 2023 but earned a spot in Vikings training camp that summer. He made it to the final days of camp but ultimately did not make the initial 53-man roster, leading to the Packers claiming him.
Sims got the call from Green Bay while in a meeting with Vikings practice-squad candidates. Since then, Sims has started six games for the Packers, playing 414 offensive snaps and 187 special teams snaps for Green Bay. He’s caught eight passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in his young career while being buried behind Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgraves.
Sims, who credited the Vikings’ tight end room for helping him in his first summer as a pro, has a chance to play this week with tight end Josh Oliver dealing with a foot injury that forced him out of a Week 8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Ben Sims Credits Vikings TE Room After His Release and Signing to the Packers
At 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, Sims ran a sub-4.6 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine. Sims was projected as an explosive playmaker who could contribute as a blocker in the run and pass game.
Spending the 2023 offseason in Minnesota, Sims spoke glowingly about his time with the Vikings — even after he arrived in Green Bay.
“One of our player-personnel people, he was like, ‘You just got claimed off waivers. You’ve got to go,” Sims said in a locker room interview after he was signed to the Packers’ 53-man roster. “I was like, ‘Where am I going?’ He said I was coming to Green Bay. So I grabbed my truck, packed my bags and drove here yesterday.
“I was pleased with the way I was coached. I was pleased with the guys, the older (tight end) group in Minnesota, they let me lean on them a lot. So I was really fortunate to have a group of vets that really helped me and go out of their way to be there for me,” Sims added.
Vikings on the Search for QB Help With Carson Wentz Poised for Season-Ending Surgery
There’s plenty that can be said about Wentz’s time as a starter for the Vikings this season — but what can’t be dismissed his the veteran quarterback’s grit.
He played through a shoulder injury for weeks behind a patchwork offensive line and gutted out what proved to be his final start against the Chargers.
Wentz was clearly struggling with the injury last week, which likely impacted his play. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Wentz was pressured on 53.1% of dropbacks and took five sacks and five quarterback hits against the Chargers. He completed just two passes in the fourth quarter as his shoulder seemed shot late in the game.
The Vikings are down to J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer for the rest of the season and are likely to sign a veteran quarterback to replace Wentz.
Vic Fangio Reacts To Defender Coming On Strong During Eagles' Winning Streak
The Eagles had a season-high five sacks against the Giants on Sunday, nearly doubling their season total of 11 coming into the game. Vic Fangio didn’t seem very impressed.
“I think our rush could have been better,” said the defensive coordinator.
Maybe help on the defensive line will come between now and the 4 p.m. trade deadline on Tuesday. If not, well, Fangio didn’t pull any punches there, either, when he was asked if he thinks the makeup of the room will allow him to do what he wants.
“It has to be,” he said.
Help On Edge Expected After Bye
The Eagles will get help in some form. Nolan Smith is expected back after the bye week. He hasn’t played since Week 3, all the way back on Sept. 21. Brandon Graham should be ready for a role after sitting out against the Giants after unretiring just days before the game.
“BG's working his way back into football shape, playing shape,” said Fangio. “Hopefully, we will get Nolan back here soon. So, that's two guys that we haven't had since whenever Nolan went out. So yeah, it's looking to be better, and we're working Jihaad (Campbell) there some. Jalyx (Hunt) has played (well) all year, I think. Obviously, he's had his plays he'd like to have back, but he is a young guy who's progressing, so we're in good shape there.”
General manager Howie Roseman may feel differently and bring another player in via a trade. Fangio was asked what his internal input is in trade discussions.
“Very miniscule,” was his reply.
As you can tell by now, Fangio didn’t put together too many paragraphs in his answers when he met with reporters on Tuesday.
Until the topic of Hunt was approached. The outside linebacker has put together strong back-to-back weeks during the Eagles’ two-game winning streak, notching a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown against the Vikings in a 28-22 win and recording his first sack of the season and that came in a big spot. The second-year third-round draft pick also had a career-high nine pressures on New York rookie Jaxson Dart.
Hunt’s first sack came when the Giants were facing a third-and-10 inside the Eagles' red zone with a minute to go in the third quarter. Trailing 24-10 at the time, a touchdown would’ve put New York within one score, but Hunt’s 3-yard sack forced the Giants to kick a field goal.
“We know it’s hard to get sacks in this league,” said Hunt after the Eagles beat Minnesota. “They get paid, we get paid and sacks take a lot of effort, a lot of scheming. You have to be rushing the right way for when the time comes.”
Despite starting his career in the Ivy League, as a safety at Cornell, Hunt has grown as quickly into being an outside linebacker as he has as a first-year starter.
“We liked him in the draft, obviously … and did like his potential,” said the DC. “In spite of his lack of background, what we saw in the draft process has proven to be true. He's just going to get better and better the more he plays.”
The 24-year-old Hunt has done a good job of holding the fort, playing 66 percent of the defensive snaps as others at his position have fallen by the wayside, such as Za’Darius Smith, Ogbo Okoronkwo, Azeez Ojulari, and Smith
