Purple Rumor Mill: Dantzler’s Return, the Seafood Kicker, Bullard on the Shelf

Purple Rumor Mill

VikingsTerritory’s Purple Rumor Mill is a two-day chronicle every week. All of the week’s rumors are lassoed and plopped in two spots — articles on Saturday and Sunday — for evaluation. Right now is the December eleventh version.

Bear in mind — rumors are rumors. What you learn on weekends in these items is what the world is speaking about pertaining to the Vikings, not essentially gadgets that may come to fruition.

Rumor: Cameron Dantzler is about to return after an IR stint.

Sep 11, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Cameron Dantzler Sr. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Certainly, the Vikings activated Dantzler to the lively roster Saturday, setting the stage for the third-year CB’s return at Detroit.

Dantzler was injured towards the Washington Commanders in Week 9, lacking 4 video games with an ankle damage. And his return is well timed, as two Vikings rookie corners, Andrew Sales space and Akayleb Evans, hit injured reserve within the final two weeks.

With out Dantzler’s return, Minnesota could be in dire form, right down to nubbins for CB depth and counting on Duke Shelley and Kris Boyd after Patrick Peterson. However all of that’s moot as a result of Dantzler is again.

Rumor: The Vikings auditioned a brand new kicker, a person who labored at a seafood market mere weeks in the past.

Aug 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers place kicker Nick Sciba. Obligatory Credit score: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Late this week, the Vikings auditioned Nick Sciba, the second-most correct kicker within the historical past of school soccer. Sciba hit 80 of 89 discipline objectives at Wake Forest and by no means missed an additional level.

It’s unclear what the Vikings subsequent steps with Sciba might be, however the man deserves placement on an NFL roster. He performed one sport for the Pittsburgh Steelers on the finish of October and hit two discipline objectives.

Earlier than getting the decision from Pittsburgh, Sciba labored at Saltwater Markets in South Carolina.

Rumor: Beginning defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard is out for a minimum of 4 video games.

Oct 2, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings defensive finish Jonathan Bullard. Obligatory Credit score: Peter van den Berg-USA TODAY Sports activities.

This one is true.

Bullard injured his bicep final weekend versus the Jets and can hit the shelf for a minimum of 4 video games. In his stead, James Lynch will doubtless begin, with Ross Blacklock filling in for reservist obligation.

Bullard was placing collectively a good yr in his first yr with the Vikings, firing up a 58.0 Professional Soccer Focus grade. Bullard ought to return in time for the postseason, and the group needs to be in good fingers with Lynch, a mini-fan-favorite.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his each day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs each Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doorways (the band).