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Next man up: Vikings backup guard Joe Huber gets love from O'Connell, Van Noy
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- Next man up: Vikings backup guard Joe Huber gets love from O'Connell, Van Noy
The Vikings losing promising left guard Donovan Jackson to a season-ending meniscus injury is a tough blow for a team that is still trying to find its groove on offense, to put it mildly. Jackson was playing at a high level to begin his second NFL season.
The next man up is Joe Huber, a 2025 undrafted free agent who played 79 snaps as a rookie and then played 71 more after stepping in for Jackson in the first quarter this past Sunday. Through 150 snaps, Huber has mostly looked like a UDFA. He's allowed six pressures and a sack. He's committed four penalties, including two false starts against the Dolphins.
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As a result, there has already been plenty of understandable speculation about the Vikings' other options at left guard. Should they move Blake Brandel back to guard and try Michael Jurgens (who can come off of IR this week) at center? Should they look to make a trade for either a center or a left guard with a stronger NFL resume?
While those are fair questions, it's too soon to write off Huber as the potential answer. The former Badger has impressed in two consecutive preseasons, had some nice moments on tape against the Dolphins, and has drawn praise from coaches and teammates. He'll get his opportunity this week against the Saints to stake his claim on a long-term starting job.
Aside from the two false starts and a couple moments of miscommunication with Brandel on interior stunts, Huber was fine against Miami. He got to the second level and moved bodies in the run game. He helped out teammates in pass protection and also had this excellent stunt pickup:
