The Vikings Will Quickly Face One other Former Minnesota QB


Nov 21, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Washington Soccer Group quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) seems to be to cross as Carolina Panthers exterior linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) and outdoors linebacker Haason Reddick (43) defend within the third quarter at Financial institution of America Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports activities

This previous weekend, the Minnesota Vikings did in truth find yourself taking part in towards their former first-round choose, Teddy Bridgewater. The Dolphins backup QB got here in reduction for rookie Skylar Thompson, who left the sport with a finger harm. The Vikings won the game and sacked Bridgewater 5 instances, however the former Viking performed comparatively properly towards his outdated group. Now, as information across the league emerges within the aftermath of Week 6, it appears the Vikings will face one other former Minnesota QB in only a few weeks.

Throughout Thursday night time’s recreation towards the Chicago Bears, Carson Wentz fractured his ring finger on his throwing finger. Although he toughed it out for that recreation, Wentz is now headed for a stint on IR, with a timetable of 4-6 weeks for his restoration.

Whereas Wentz is out, it seems that Taylor Heinicke will step again into the position of beginning QB for the Commanders. Throughout 2021, he was the starter in 15 video games, main Washington to a 7-8 file. Over these 15 video games, Heinicke accomplished 65% of his passes for 3419 yards, 20 TDs, and 15 INTs. Washington completed 7-10 on the season, lacking out on the playoffs.

Previous to becoming a member of the Washington Commanders, Heinicke was a journeyman throughout the league for just a few years. He began two seasons at Outdated Dominion in school, together with this system’s transition yr from the FCS to the FBS in 2014. Over these two seasons, he accomplished slightly below 67% of his passes for 7498 yards, 63 TDs, and 23 INTs. In 2014, he was third in Convention-USA in passing touchdowns with 30.

Regardless of a few of his success, Heinicke got here into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2015. Finally, the Vikings signed him to be a contest QB for the preseason. Throughout that 2015 preseason, the rookie QB performed all 5 video games (together with the Corridor of Fame recreation), and he accomplished 59-of-82 passes (69.5%) for 516 yards, two TDs, and an interception.

When Mike Kafka received damage, that opened up the door for Heinicke to be the Vikings third string QB for the season, however he didn’t break onto the sphere for an everyday season snap.

After what needs to be thought of a profitable rookie season for an undrafted QB, each the 2016 and 2017 seasons have been derailed by accidents. Since that 2015 season with the Vikings, Heinicke has bounced across the NFL. From 2017-19 he had stints on the New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Carolina Panthers, and ultimately landed within the XFL with the St. Louis BattleHawks.

He was drafted onto the BattleHawks previous to the 2020 season, however he didn’t seem in any video games for the group. This was brought on by the league suspending operation as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Then, through the 2020 NFL season, Heinicke discovered is ultimate touchdown spot with the Washington Commanders (then Soccer Group).

In the course of the 2020 common season, Heinicke didn’t see the sphere, however he ended up being thrust right into a beginning spot for the Wild Card playoff game towards Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Washington misplaced that recreation, 31-23, however Heinicke performed properly sufficient to maintain issues shut. He accomplished 59% of his passes for 306 yards, a TD, and an INT. He additionally added 46 speeding yards and a speeding landing.

This recreation earned him the beginning job for a lot of the 2021 season, and he now enters the position once more for the foreseeable future in 2022. He’ll meet the Minnesota Vikings, who gave him his first likelihood within the NFL, throughout Week 9. Kickoff is ready for 12 PM CST on November sixth at FedEx Area.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The Faculty of Idaho with a bachelor’s diploma in Artistic Writing in addition to minors in Historical past, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing concerning the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon coaching, taking part in video video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For extra of his takes, NFL and in any other case, try his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.



Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles