Defensive end Everson Griffen only started one game in his first four seasons with the Vikings, but he still got a five-year deal worth as much as $42.5 million from the team because of the pass rushing skills he showed in that rotational role.
After signing that contract, Griffen won’t be a backup anymore and he’s expected to make the second start of his career against the Rams on Sunday. He’ll be making that start despite being sick enough the last two days that he was only able to make it through the early part of Friday’s workout.
Griffen said, via the Pioneer Press, you have “to play through what you got” in situations like this and coach Mike Zimmer said he anticipates Griffen being well enough to play when the Vikings kick off their season.
The Vikings are counting on Griffen and Anthony Barr to become leaders on a defense that said goodbye to longtime foundations Jared Allen and Kevin Williams during the offseason. Both players showed well in the preseason and Zimmer’s long history of success building defenses should help that process as long as everyone can keep the germs at bay.