Jasper

Brinkley

Rookie Audie Cole projects more as a reserve in the middle and on the strong side, and will focus on special teams. ESPN 1500 Twin Cities projects Brinkley as a two-down player only, with Chad Greenway and Erin Henderson staying on the field as Minnesota’s lone two linebackers in the nickel defensive package. Brinkley confirmed that he’s 100 percent recovered from the hip injury that kept him out of action in 2011.

After missing all of last season due to hip surgery, GM Rick Spielman says Brinkley is “100% healthy and ready to roll.” Minnesota has an opening in the middle with E.J. Henderson hitting free agency. A run stopper who struggles in coverage, Brinkley has played only 18 snaps over the last two seasons. He could flirt with 90 tackles as a starter, but will come off the field on passing downs.

Impending free agent E.J. Henderson, turning 32 in August, is not expected to return to a rebuilding defense. Much like Henderson of 2011, Brinkley is a thumper in the run game lacking in coverage skills. He’s coming off major hip surgery in September. WLB Erin Henderson is also a free agent, leaving his future with the Vikes up in the air.

Although GM Rick Spielman conceded that Brinkley’s durability is a concern following hip surgery, beat writer Jeremy Fowler reports the team is “still banking on him to play a prominent role.” Brinkley was merely dealing with minor soreness in minicamp and should be healthy by August.

Brinkley missed the entire 2011 season, so any injury in that area is something to monitor. The Vikings’ new middle linebacker is sitting out minicamp. “You can’t make him go out there and practice if you know it’s going to create some issues for him health-wise, but it does definitely make you concerned,” coach Leslie Frazier said.

Brinkley missed all of 2011 with a hip injury, and was limited throughout the offseason program. He avoided setbacks in camp, however, and racked up four tackles and two sacks in the third preseason game. The Vikings are hoping Brinkley can anchor their run defense after E.J. Henderson walked in free agency. Brinkley is expected to see limited snaps outside the base defense.

Brinkley acknowledges that the injury is related to the hip injury that caused him to sit out the entire 2011 season. It’s a concern because Brinkley is slated to be a first-year starter in place of free agent E.J. Henderson. Second-year player Tyrone McKenzie filled in for Brinkley in Tuesday’s practice.

Brinkley missed all of minicamp with a groin injury that may be related to the serious hip injury that cost him the entire 2011 season. “There’s some concern there, definitely,” Spielman said. “The durability is a question right now.” The Vikings may want to look into a free agent such as Gary Brackett ahead of training camp. Brinkley isn’t shaping up as a reliable commodity for 2012.

“I just had a little strain,” he said in a Friday interview. “I’m ready to go.” Brinkley missed a large chunk of the team’s offseason workouts after a groin strain and hip surgery that cost him the entire 2011 season. Coach Leslie Frazier and GM Rick Spielman are on record as being concerned with Brinkley’s durability, but he’s still in line to work as the team’s starting middle linebacker.

Brinkley missed all of last season due to hip surgery, and then a large chunk of spring practices with related problems. Beat writer Tom Pelissero already expects Henderson to replace Brinkley in all nickel looks, kicking to “Mike” on passing downs. Henderson has some sleeper appeal in 2012 IDP leagues.