<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1dML9f_0viujvn800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1dML9f_0viujvn800" width="788" height="444" ><figcaption>Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Marcus Davenport (0) pressures Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>The Minnesota Vikings have started extremely hot into the 2024 season, blowing out a couple of opponents, including the <a href="https://purpleptsd.com/2024/vikings/vikings-analysis/vikings-vs-texans/">Houston Texans</a>, who are expected to play a significant role in the AFC playoff picture. Another win was a convincing beatdown of the San Francisco 49ers.Infamous Ex-Viking Is Out for the Season<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2HErCj_0viujvn800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2HErCj_0viujvn800" width="666" height="444" ><figcaption>Defensive Lineman Issac Ukwu, Levi Onwuzurike, LB Mitchell Agude, Marcus Davenport, and Aidan Hutchinson walk off the field during day two of the Detroit Lions training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.</figcaption></figure>Kevin O’Connell’s team is towering over the NFC North opponents with a flawless 3-0 record as one of five remaining unbeaten clubs. Among those NFC North competitors, of course, are Dan Campbell’s Lions, the reigning division champions. Already a strong team, Detroit acquired more help in the offseason, especially the defense received some reinforcements in the draft and in free agency. Part of the reinforcements was top defensive tackle D.J. Reader, who some Vikings fans thought could be a good fit in the Twin Cities, and last year’s disappointing free agency signing, Marcus Davenport. Davenport’s extensive injury history got even longer. He has been placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury. Ian Rapoport <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1838267944536571989">tweeted</a> on Monday: “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.”<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2ljFoX_0viujvn800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2ljFoX_0viujvn800" width="666" height="444" ><figcaption>Detroit Lions defensive end Marcus Davenport (92) pressures Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, September 8, 2024.</figcaption></figure>He later provided an <a href="https://x.com/RapSheet/status/1838308517502959993">update</a> following Campbell’s press conference: “Coach Dan Campbell has now confirmed this is a season-ending injury. Brutal.”Brutal, indeed. Davenport is a talented football player but just can’t stay healthy. It has been the major problem in his entire career. Davenport was a 2018 first-round selection of the New Orleans Saints. He was the 14th overall pick. The Saints traded up with the Packers to get him and gave up a pair of first-rounders for the UTSA edge rusher. Coming into the league, Davenport was considered a physical freak. At the combine, where he was measured at 6’5″ and 264 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds with elite 10-yard and 20-yard splits.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3IhdpZ_0viujvn800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3IhdpZ_0viujvn800" width="666" height="444" ><figcaption>Oct 8, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Marcus Davenport (0) and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) rush during the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>In five years with the Saints, Davenport recorded 21.5 sacks, 142 combined tackles, 25 tackles for loss, and 60 quarterback hits. He did not live up to his expectations on the stat sheet, but his talent hit top-notch. Davenport is one of those players who are much better than their stats indicate.The Vikings paid him $13 million in 2023, and he played four games (he barely played in two of them) and recorded two sacks and seven tackles.Injuries remain his most significant problem. When he once again enters free agency in March of 2025, he will have played 69 games in seven seasons and only six games in the last two years combined. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=13oznr_0viujvn800" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=13oznr_0viujvn800" width="788" height="444" ><figcaption>Sep 17, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell looks at the scoreboard in the third quarter of their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption></figure>The Lions have depth on the edges. Josh Paschal, a 2022 second-rounder who has also dealt with many injuries and failed to live up to the expectations so far, could be in line for more reps. Davenport signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with Detroit and will not add to his 0.5-sack total. At the age of 28, with his injury history, it will be hard to generate much interest in free agency. Editor’s Note: Information from <a href="https://overthecap.com/salary-cap-space">Over The Cap</a> and <a href="https://www.pro-football-reference.com/">Pro Football Reference</a> helped with this article.Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: <a href="https://twitter.com/JanikEckardt">@JanikEckardt</a></div></body>

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Infamous Ex-Viking Is Out for the Season

The Minnesota Vikings have started extremely hot into the 2024 season, blowing out a couple of opponents, including the Houston Texans, who are expected to play a significant role in the AFC playoff picture. Another win was a convincing beatdown of the San Francisco 49ers. Infamous Ex-Viking Is Out for...