Vikings Activate Willekes, Sign 2 Centers to…

Minnesota also announced the signings of centers Cohl Cabral and Spencer Pulley to its practice squad and the termination of a practice squad contract for Nate Orchard, who had just been added this week.

The moves come at a time when Minnesota’s depth is being tested on both sides of the line of scrimmage by a variety of factors.

The Vikings agreed to send Stephen Weatherly to Denver during their Week 7 bye, leaving Hunter, Everson Griffen, D.J. Wonnum and Patrick Jones II on their 53-man roster.

Jones dealt with a knee injury last week that made him unavailable against Dallas, but he was not listed on this week’s injury report.

Griffen, Wonnum, Jones and Willekes are expected to be available against Baltimore, which ranks third in the NFL in yards per game and features dynamic threat Lamar Jackson as its quarterback.

Willekes missed all of 2020 with a leg injury he suffered during a preseason practice at U.S. Bank Stadium. He called his first opportunity to play in the NFL “surreal.” The Michigan State product attacked his rehab and has shown a high level of aggressiveness while learning from veterans.

“I guess that’s just the way I do things, the way I’ve always done things,” Willekes said. “I’m attacking at 100 percent. Just tried to get better each day, tried to take each day as an opportunity to get better. I was able to learn from Danielle and Griffen, two vets. Obviously we have a great coach with [Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/defensive line coach Andre Patterson]. He’s one of the best in the league, [assistant defensive line coach] Imarjaye [Albury, Sr.], and just able to sit back and take that time. Instead of feeling sorry for myself and sitting around, I was able to try to get better each day.”

Willekes has drawn considerable credit from coaches and teammates for the way he’s been working at practices.