Brian Flores has put his front seven in a position to wreak havoc, and that pays dividends for the secondary. Jonathan Greenard was a menace on Sunday, and he has led an exceptional edge rush since joining the team last season.

Before Greenard, Minnesota dabbled with Marcus Davenport, but they never got much of an experience. That’s because he was quickly hurt, and that has remained the case in the years since.

Marcus Davenport hits injured reserve for Detroit Lions

The New Orleans Saints made Marcus Davenport the 14th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played 63 games (32 starts) for them over the course of five seasons. Not once was there a full season though, because he was often injured.

That was Minnesota’s experience as well. Davenport played in just four games (three starts) for the Vikings during his lone season in purple. He joined the Detroit Lions with an opportunity to play against Minnesota. That evaporated quickly last year, and now he’s back on injured reserve this season.

The #Lions have placed pass-rusher Marcus Davenport on Injured Reserve with a pec strain. He's out four games, but should be back quickly after that.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 22, 2025

Davenport was deemed unable to go for the Detroit Lions this week. Given they play the Monday night game, he can return as soon as Week 7. Ian Rapoport’s belief that he should be back soon after the minimum might be a bit presumptuous given his track record.

Last year Davenport played in just two games (one start) for the Lions. He started the first two games this year, but quickly hit the shelf again.

Since leaving New Orleans, Davenport has just 3.5 sacks in over two years of action. He has been paid nearly $20 million for that paltry level of production, and it’s worse when considering how often he remains off the field.

The Lions are scheduled to host the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9 at Ford Field. Davenport may have that game circled as his Super Bowl. It’s an opportunity for him to make a regular season statement. Then again, he’d have to get to a point where he can be healthy, and remain that way for a full game, before focusing on the opponent.

For Minnesota, there isn’t much to worry about when considering their afterthought of a former edge rusher. The current tandem of Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel already have three sacks this season.

Minnesota Vikings former edge Marcus Davenport out for the Lions

When the Minnesota Vikings signed Marcus Davenport last off-season they hoped he could pair well with Danielle Hunter. Hunter wound up racking up a whopping 16.5 sacks on the season. Davenport contributed just a pair of sacks and was more well-known for his familiarity with the training room. The Detroit Lions gave him more money this off-season, and they now get to experience the same reality.

#Lions pass-rusher Marcus Davenport suffered what appears to be a serious and significant elbow injury in Sunday’s game, sources say.

Davenport, who put a sleeve on it and tried to return, could be lost for the season. He’s currently undergoing more tests. pic.twitter.com/MlPGpRuZ3f

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 23, 2024

It’s definitely not a good thing when any player is injured. Last season though, the Vikings seemed to feel that Davenport wasn’t exactly itching to get back on the playing field. The two sides were always going to part ways, but Davenport had an opportunity to exact revenge after signing with a division rival.

Good long arm and plenty of power from Lions DL 92 Marcus Davenport. Fingers crossed that he can stay healthy and finish these plays. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/x1BjDvdSc4

— Russell Brown (@RussNFLDraft) September 10, 2024

The Lions saw a glimpse of what Davenport can do when he registered a half-sack in Week 1. The cracks then started to show, and now it appears he’ll miss a significant amount of time. Of course this is nothing new for Davenport. He has never been available for more than 15 games in a season. His 13 starts in 2019 for New Orleans are still a career high.

Related: Best/Worst Minnesota Vikings in Week 3, per PFF

Detroit hasn’t gotten off to the fast start that was expected of them, and it seems their defense still has a ways to go. Davenport being off the field doesn’t help that reality. Minnesota has plenty of time to prepare for their first game with the Lions this season as well. Following the trip to London, they return home for a bye before welcoming Dan Campbell’s club to U.S. Bank Stadium.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Crowd Had Texans Offense in Shambles on Sunday

Given the report of a significant injury, it seems unlikely that Davenport will be active for that contest.

And they’ve done it almost entirely without one of their top-5 defensive players, EDGE Marcus Davenport, who’s missed most of the season due to injury, the most recent occurence being a left high ankle sprain that landed him on IR.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Playoff Odds – Week 16

Does Marcus Davenport want to play for Minnesota Vikings again this season?

As recently as last week, it was believed that Davenport would be returning to the Vikings’ lineup sometime before the 2023 season came to an end. But it’s now week 16 and his 21-day practice window still hasn’t been opened. Why?

Well, according to Darren ‘Doogie’ Wolfson on SKOR North’s Mackey & Judd, Marcus has to want to get back on the field… “There are some desire questions, there. Ultimately, it’s the player. The player really has to want it.”

"There still is some desire questions there… the player really has to want it" 🤨

– @DWolfsonKSTP provides an update on #Vikings OLB Marcus Davenport pic.twitter.com/Re6IoGV0mU

— SKOR North – Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) December 19, 2023

It’s funny, yesterday afternoon I wrote a blog about Jordan Hicks, who’s convinced he is ready to return from his compartment syndrome injury in record time. With Hicks’ return, the Vikings coaching staff is trying to flash a yellow light at his high-speed recovery process, given how desperate he is to get back on the field.

Obviously, Marcus Davenport’s desire to return sits on the complete other side of the desperation spectrum, proving yet again how many different personalities live inside a sports locker room.

More questions surround Davenport’s desire than his health

Wolfson’s report, which is clearly coming out of TCO Performance Center, says that Marcus Davenport is out of his walking boot and has been for two weeks or more.

Related: Vikings to Replace U.S. Bank Stadium Turf; Want $62M from Taxpayers for Security Upgrades

If we read between the lines, like Doogie invites us to do, it’s pretty clear that questions from inside the building aren’t as much about Marcus’ health anymore. They’re about his desire to return.

“It’s a weird situation. He’s definitely out of the walking boot. He’s been out of the walking boot for the better part of 10-14 days, if not longer. But, I’m just telling you, the player, he has to want it. So, if you want to read between the lines then do whatever you want. But there are some questions about [Marcus Davenport’s] ‘want’.”

Darren Wolfson – Macker & Judd – SKOR North

It’s still possible Davenport finds the motivation to return before the season timer runs out. A lot of his 2023 contract is based on incentives to be on the field. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be enough to motivate the 27-year-old Texas-San Antonio alum to attack his rehab. But don’t expect him to return in 2024, either way.

After the four weeks is up, players can be taken off IR, and still have 21 days to practice with their team, before they are required to be activated to the 53-man roster. With the spot that opened, as a result of Davenport hitting IR, the Vikings activated RB Kene Nwangwu who was in his post IR 3-week practice window.

#Vikings roster moves

– Placed OLB Marcus Davenport on IR

– Activated RB Kene Nwangwu to 53-man roster

– WR Jalen Nailor designated for return; returned to practice pic.twitter.com/VFArUR3gVw

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 18, 2023

Marcus Davenport placed on Injured Reserve

Ian Rapoport (NFL Network) reported on Monday night that the oft-injured former New Orleans Saint was expected to land on injured reserve. Rapoport’s initial report put Davenport’s recovery time as 4-6 weeks.

Related: Behind Scenes, Vikings Readily Fielding Flood of Trade Offers for Key Players

The Vikings signed Davenport early last offseason, as a legitimate threat for offensive lines to deal with, opposite Danielle Hunter. When available, he completely changes the dynamic of Minnesota’s defense.

Much like Hunter, he’s an athletic anomaly, standing at 6’6″, 265 pounds with agility, speed and power that neither physics nor chemistry can reasonably explain.

Signing backfiring on Minnesota Vikings all season

But you’re only as good as your availability and we’re talking about a supposedly key defensive player who has not been available for the Minnesota Vikings very often, since his signing. An injury to his other ankle kept Marcus sidelined for most of the first three weeks, before he was briefly able to showcase his obvious talent in weeks 4 and 5.

Unfortunately, that impressive 1st impression didn’t last more than 2.5 weeks. And now, his numbers on the season (3 starts, 118 snaps, 7 tackles, 2 sacks) will remain dormant through, at least, week 10.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Defense Rankings 2023 – Week 7

Again, numbers only tell so much of the story. Marcus is well-worth his contract, likely much more, if healthy. But that is not reality and the Vikings are going to pay for this signing the rest of this season.

.@DWonnum got the sack.

But it doesn't happen without @DHunt94_TX's presence and Marcus Davenport's spin move.

📺: https://t.co/9xxfFo5eic pic.twitter.com/qXYMmE34DX

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 4, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The first turnover of week 4, like is often the case in both love and football, hurt the most.

99-YARDS!

No stopping Sam 😤 pic.twitter.com/3SzM0NRIvj

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) October 1, 2023

Same turnover prone Minnesota Vikings offense in 1st half…

Even on the Vikings first touchdown drive of the day, Kirk Cousins fumbled a snap and turned an easy QB sneak first down into a 3rd and short. And honestly, I wasn’t even mad. Just happy they didn’t lose the fumble. The next play, Kirk threw the first of two touchdowns on the day to Justin Jefferson.

Whether it was penalties (Vikings committed SEVEN) or turnovers (Kirk threw another INT in the 2nd quarter), the Minnesota offense couldn’t get out of its own way. And unlike in previous weeks, Cousins & Co weren’t marching up and down the field before committing their devastating mistakes.

Related: Kevin O’Connell Threatens to Bench Vikings Players Who Can’t Hold onto the Football

Kirk finished the first half with just 100 yards passing, to go with his 2 interceptions and 1 touchdown. But then, with 4:09 remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Panthers driving and the Vikings down 13-6, a defensive miracle happened.

Defense saves Minnesota Vikings season

Bryce Young dropped back and Harrison Smith ripped around the right tackle on a blitz. Young thought he could shake the veteran safety 1v1 but he was wrong. Harry swiped down on the ball with his left arm, causing it to tumble on the turf toward the Vikings end zone before DJ Wonnum scooped it up and did the rest.

Chaos. Absolute chaos.@HarriSmith22 @DWonnum

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/0UWZB1Afxj

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 1, 2023

Just like that, the score was tied. After a made extra point, the Minnesota Vikings were suddenly up by a point. They certainly didn’t pull away after this defensive score but Kirk and JJ did connect for one more touchdown and the defense held up a handful of times, including one where Carolina drove all the way to the Vikings 10 yard line. But, they never gave in.

I know it’s hard to believe, but the Minnesota Vikings defense won them the game in Charlotte today. It wasn’t just the momentum changing fumble return for a touchdown. The Vikings’ defense, especially as the game went on, was a major problem that Bryce Young and the Panthers could not solve. They were relentless with pressure vs the pass and held up admirably against the run.

Related: Two Key Wins in 2023 Would Make Kirk Cousins the 5th QB in NFL History to Defeat All 32 Teams

Marcus Davenport well worth the wait…

The biggest change? Marcus Davenport, who didn’t play in weeks 1-3, is a beast and showed why the Vikings were so excited to get him early in the offseason. He totaled just one sack but both half sacks should have been his alone. Seriously, how does Danielle Hunter get credit for half of this sack?

Defense is TURNED UP!!

📺: @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/gYAfUnjShU

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 1, 2023

All afternoon, Davenport was making plays. He noticeably made the defense better vs both the run and the pass. We had to wait for it but sometimes the wait is well worth it. Eventually it was the clock paired with Minnesota’s defense that finally ran this game out to victory.

Harrison Smith winds back the clock

The other star of Sunday’s game? Harrison Smith, who was the only defensive player more disruptive in the pass rush than Marcus Davenport, grabbing 3 sacks to go along with his 14 tackles and the forced fumble you witnessed above, that ended in a season-turning defensive touchdown. #22 was vintage Harrison Smith today.

Harrison Smith’s second sack of the game! This #Vikings defense is cooking pic.twitter.com/eJrzGxtBel

— MSN (@mnspnews) October 1, 2023

“Just how much he’s running the show out there…we’re the best possible version of the Minnesota Vikings defensively when Harrison Smith is an impact player.” pic.twitter.com/hBPWW22LlY

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 1, 2023

After Harry’s strip sack-turned-touchdown, the Vikings offense scored one more TD and then got out of the defense’s way. Kirk Cousins threw his second interception deep into the 1st half and the Vikings never turn it over again after that.

Vikings finally find rushing attack, Cam Akers looks good in debut

It wasn’t an easy victory and it didn’t happen in shootout fashion like many of us thought it would. Dalton Risner didn’t get the start but the offensive line played well enough. Sunday’s biggest bright spot for an offense that struggled to move the ball as well as they did through three games, was a definitive improvement in the run game.

Alexander Mattison looked like a much better version of himself, rushing 17 carries for 95 yards (5.6 YPC), but it was the vision and burst to Cam Akers’ game (5 carries, 40 yards, 8.0 YPC) that took the Vikings rushing attack to the next level vs the Panthers.

No doubt, the Vikings coaches will go into week 5 feeling much better about their run game than they did any other week of the season, so far. Most of that optimism can be credited to Akers.

Cam Akers looks 100x the running back Alexander Mattison has been. #Vikings

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 1, 2023

As improved as Alex Mattison was on Sunday, Cam showed a different level of talent when he had the ball in his hands. Not only does Akers have speed and quickness Mattison doesn’t, he sees the field and gaps in the offensive line better too.

If Cam Akers stays healthy and everything is kosher behind the scenes, I can’t see a world where Mattison keeps his carry total up, as Akers gets more and more comfortable with the Vikings offense and his duties in both the run and pass/pass blocking games.

Related: Dalton Risner Gets Reps w/Vikings 1st-Team Offense; Cam Akers Will Be Active vs Panthers

But, the Minnesota Vikings leave Bank of America Stadium as 21-13 victors and move their record to 1-3 on the 2023-24 season. Suddenly, there’s hope… We’ll worry about our next opponent, the red-hot Kansas City Chiefs, tomorrow. Tonight, we soak in a victory. As fans, we deserve it.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Marcus Davenport lands on Vikings Injury Report

The news was broken by head coach, Kevin O’Connell, during his afternoon press conference with Vikings reporters, on Friday, who were clearly caught off-guard by the announcement. KOC played it off pretty cool and said Davenport was expected to handle his full workload on Sunday, if he was able to go.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case this morning, when Davenport was listed on the Inactive report ahead of kickoff.

Today's #Vikings inactives pic.twitter.com/f3KjvJPw97

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 10, 2023

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Vikings’ ability to put pressure on the quarterback, given their current collection of pass-rush talent outside of Danielle Hunter.

Most of the optimism surrounding the Vikings defense centers around Davenport being a legitimate threat on the other side of Hunter. That’s why Kwesi Adofo-Mensah signed the 27-year-old former New Orleans Saint during the offseason.

Minnesota is favored over Tampa Bay by 5 points.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Marcus Davenport’s deal with the #Vikings is officially completed. They’re gathering final signatures now.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 17, 2023

The deal is for $8.5M over two years, per source

Lowry was really productive in 2021, generating 42 QB pressures & five sacks, with his 10.3% pressure rate 15th among interior defenders. Good get for Brian Flores in Minnesota https://t.co/KFR9jMULmR

— Brad Spielberger, Esq. (@PFF_Brad) March 17, 2023

Who is Dean Lowry?

I wrote about Davenport when he first agreed to terms with the Vikings a few days ago. So let’s turn to Dean Lowry, who, at 28-years-old, comes in as one of the older pickups of the offseason for general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

Lowry is expected to replace departing interior defensive lineman, Dalvin Tomlinson. The Packers drafted him in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL Draft, out of Northwestern. He has 15.5 sacks in 7 seasons.

Dean Lowry’s best season with the Packers was in 2021, when he recorded a career high in sacks (5.0), passes deflected (4), QB hits (9) and pressures (42). He wasn’t able to replicate that same type of success in 2022, statistically one of his worst seasons. Still, he’s a bargain at just $4.25 million per season.

Big changes on defense for Vikings

The Vikings now expected to have new starters at OLB, DE, MLB and CB. It’s safe to say the overhaul is in full effect. Though, Jordan Hicks and Harrison Smith did agree to pay cuts, in order to stay. Questions still surround Za’Darius Smith, who has asked to be let go. All signs point to that request being granted, since Davenport would project as his replacement. Stay tuned…

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

So on Thursday, the Vikings scheduled a press conference to introduce three signings from the first wave of free agency. (CB) Byron Murphy, (TE) Josh Oliver and Davenport were all in town today but not all of them ended up being introduced.

Marcus Davenport contract isn’t signed yet

But it was clear something was wrong when reporters in attendance for the presser started tweeting about a last minute delay. And when the event eventually started, about 45 minutes late, only two new signees took to the stage.

While the #Vikings introduced Byron Murphy and Josh Oliver at a press conference today, I’m told they’re still working on contract details with Marcus Davenport, who was in Minnesota today but has not officially signed yet.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) March 16, 2023

There are yet to be any reports that the unofficially agreed upon deal between Minnesota and Davenport have gone south. Only that details are still being worked out.

Still, delaying and cancelling a press conference appearance feels like a pretty significant development. If anything new comes out or if the deal does eventually get finalized, this blog will be updated.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

The #Vikings are signing pass-rusher Marcus Davenport, sources tell me, @MikeGarafolo, and @TomPelissero. He gets a 1-year deal worth $13M. Impressive.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2023

Who is Marcus Davenport?

Davenport is a pass rushing 3-4 outside linebacker who has a lot of NFL experience (5 seasons) for a 26-years-old kid. He has all the tools to be an elite pass rusher but, so far, he’s proven inconsistent. He followed up a career year in 2021 (9 sacks, 27 hurries) with a statistically sad 2022 (0.5 sacks, 26 hurries) so he had to settle for a prove-it deal with the Vikings.

PFF, no matter the season, is a huge fan of Marcus Davenport. They gave him an 88.1 grade in his stellar 2021 season. Even last year, when he finished with 0.5 sacks, he received 76.8 defensive grade. Never in his 5-year career has Devenport ever graded below a 71.8, and that was as a rookie.

Most importantly, Davenport has to stay on the field. The San Antonio, TX native has never logged 500 snaps or started more than 13 games in a season. He’s a low-risk, high reward signing for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, given the short one-year term on his contract. If he plays well, he will be worth a lot more than $13 million. If not, the Minnesota Vikings can move on from him after one season.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan