Robinson starts at left tackle after trade

VIKINGS REPORT

Veteran finds way into lineup after two practices since arriving from Jacksonville

Vikings left tackle Cam Robinson (74) reacts during the first quarter on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium. Robinson started at left tackle after being acquired from Jacksonville in a trade last week. STEPHEN MATUREN — GETTY IMAGES

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By Dane Mizutani

dmizutani@pioneerpress.com

A whirlwind stretch for left tackle Cam Robinson ended with him starting for the Vikings in Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

This was always the expected outcome after the Vikings acquired Robinson this week in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Nonetheless, it’s pretty impressive that Robinson was able to get himself ready without much time to prepare.

After arriving in Minnesota this week, Robinson only got to participate in a pair of practices for the Vikings. He downplayed any thought that he might be overwhelmed trying to learn the offense in rather short order.

“Obviously there’s a lot going on, and it’s a lot of change,” Robinson said earlier this week. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

It helped that Robinson came to the Vikings after starting more than 90 games with the Jaguars. That experience helped him acclimate rather quickly to his new surroundings.

As the replacement for star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who is out for the remainder of this season, Robinson is being asked to fill an important role for the Vikings protecting the blindside of quarterback Sam Darnold.

Risner still waiting

Though he was active for the first time this season, right guard Dalton Risner was not in the starting lineup.

The continued struggles of right guard Ed Ingram led many to believe that Risner would take over whenever he was back from injured reserve. That was not the case as Risner was a backup despite being activated this week.

It will be interesting to see how long of leash Ingram is given moving forward. It’s no secret that Ingram has been the weak link for the Vikings in the trenches for the past couple of seasons, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see Risner get a shot at some point.

Rodriguez makes debut

After being inactive for a couple of months to start his career, rookie defensive tackle Levi Drake Rodriguez dressed for Sunday’s game between the Vikings and Colts. His presence on the active roster came in response to fellow rookie defensive tackle Taki Taimani suffering an ankle injury and being placed on injured reserve.

The selection of Rodriguez in the 2024 NFL Draft got some attention because he hailed from such a small school in Texas A&M-Commerce.

The relentless energy that Rodriguez brings to the table has been his calling card throughout his rise up the ranks. He’s an Energizer bunny masquerading as a football player and that’s a big reason the Vikings took a chance on him.

Briefly

The inactives for the Vikings included linebacker Blake Cashman, cornerback Akayleb Evans, left tackle Walter Rouse, center Dan Feeney, cornerback Dwight McGlothern, and quarterback Brett Rypien.