Getty Head coach Kevin O'Connell of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings have had to adjust to injuries for most of the season, and their experience in Week 17 will be no different.
Faced with an injury report that is 12-deep with players working through issues, the Vikings brought back a familiar face for their Week 17 showdown against the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers.
“The #Vikings have signed Anthony Barr from the practice squad to the active roster,” read the official announcement from the team’s handle on X, formerly Twitter, on December 29.
Barr was the No. 9 overall pick of the draft in 2014 by the Vikings.
He spent nine seasons with the team before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency in 2022. Barr recorded 58 combined tackles, two fumble recoveries, and one sack in his lone season in Dallas. He also started 10 of his 14 games.
The 6-foot-5, versatile linebacker returned to the Vikings in November, joining the practice squad.
This will be his third game back with the big club. He has logged 26 total snaps in his previous two outings. He has just one tackle, though he did recover a fumble by Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields in Week 12.
.@NoExcuses_23 and @AnthonyBarr team up for the MASSIVE play.
📺: @ESPNNFL
The Vikings only had one more call-up to use on Barr.
Practice squad players can be elevated a maximum of three times before they have to be signed to the active roster, per Draft Kings. A fourth elevation would have meant a contract on the active roster for Barr anyway. The Vikings just skipped a step.
They had open roster spots after placing T.J. Hockenson and DJ Wonnum on injured reserve. Barr’s addition comes with linebacker Troy Dye (questionable, wrist) one of the 12 players listed on the Vikings’ injury report.
Barr returned to Minnesota on a one-year, $1.2 million contract. But at his peak, which included four trips to the Pro Bowl, Barr inked a four-year, $67 million contract. Injuries played a role in his decline and eventual departure from Minnesota.
But he can still contribute, and the Vikings need all the help they can get in trying to make the playoffs.
Vikings Re-Sign Veteran LB to Practice Squad
GettyNick Vigil #59 of the Minnesota Vikings.
“LB Nick Vigil has been signed to the practice squad,” the post continued.
Vigil was with the Vikings in 2021 and started 12 of his 16 games that season. He has played in six games with the Vikings this season and originally signed in the preseason, joining the Vikings’ practice squad in October. He has recorded one tackle, logging all of his snaps on special teams.
The Vikings waived him on December 23. But following Barr’s addition to the 53-man roster, they had an open slot to bring him back.
Vigil signed a one-year, $370,000 contract.
Vikings, Packers Banged-Up Entering Divisional Showdown
GettyJaire Alexander #23 of the Green Bay Packers.
The Vikings will be without starting cornerback Byron Murphy and wide receiver Jalen Nailor as well as reserves Theo Jackson and Jaquelin Roy are out. Murphy’s continued absence is significant with fellow cornerback Mekhi Blackmon questionable.
Ditto for Nailor with fellow wideout Jordan Addison questionable with an ankle injury and No. 1 option Justin Jefferson having dealt with injuries this season.
Things are even worse for the Packers.
Their report lists 16 players, and nine of them enter gameday with a designation of questionable or worse. Most notably, linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, tight end Luke Musgrave, and wide receiver Christian Watson – all starters when healthy – are doubtful for the game.
The Packers also suspended top cornerback Jaire Alexander for conduct detrimental to the team after he participated in the pre-game coin toss in Week 16 without being named a captain.