Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Patterson on early impressions of Brailford:
The Vikings signed defensive end Jordan Brailford, a 2019 seventh-round draft pick, off Washington's practice squad in October, but he didn't play his first NFL game until last week.
Brailford played just 11 snaps for Minnesota but made them count, forcing and recovering a fumble in the comeback win against Jacksonville.
Patterson was asked about his early impressions of Brailford and the way he's fit into the Vikings defensive line room.
"I had a high grade on him coming out," Patterson said. "I thought he was athletic, I thought he was explosive. A good athlete. Just in my mind, [I was] trying to figure out where he would play. 'Is he a d-end coming out, was he an outside linebacker? Is he a designated pass rusher? Could he be an every-down defensive end?' Those are the questions that I had coming out. But I did like his athleticism and his productivity as a pass rusher.
"Since he's been here," Patterson continued, "he's shown me all those qualities. He's worked really hard. It was a big change for him to come from what they were doing in Washington to what we were doing here, and he's worked hard, so he got his opportunity Sunday to get a chance to play with D.J. [Wonnum] being out. Those 11 reps that he played, he did a good job. He showed his ability to be able to run, he showed his ability to be able to bend, so I was very encouraged with what I saw from him during the game."
Zimmer on Wilson filling in for Kendricks:
Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks, who on Thursday was announced as the team's Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee, also was sidelined for the game against Jacksonville with a calf injury. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Zimmer was asked about the flexibility of Eric Wilson, who has been filling in this season for Anthony Barr (Injured Reserve) but last week slid to the middle linebacker position in place of Kendricks, particularly when Minnesota was in nickel.
"We had actually practiced it a little bit during the week because Eric [Kendricks] had missed some time in practice during the week, so [Wilson] had luckily had some reps at it," Zimmer said. "Ever since Eric [Wilson's] been here, he's been able to back up both positions when Anthony and Eric [Kendricks] were in there – whoever went down, he just went in there at that position. It's something he's done in the past, which helps, but it's a real tribute to the kid how he just steps in and doesn't miss a beat, playing a completely different position in the sub [package].
"He's a true student of the game, and he did a great job not only making the adjustment but helping communicate with Todd [Davis] and Troy [Dye] and getting those guys in the right position during the game, as well," Zimmer added.