Antoine Winfield Out 4-6 Weeks?
October 24, 2009 by David Kindervater
Filed under Minnesota Vikings
Cornerback Antoine Winfield is the heart and soul of the Minnesota Vikings defense. Not only is he a classic shutdown corner—thus virtually eliminating the opposing team’s top receiver—he is also a staunch run defender with no fear of facing much larger offensive linemen or taking on running backs of any size. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played—with guts and grit. That’s why the Vikings gave him a four-year, $36 million contract extension back in July.
Antoine Winfield, Minnesota Vikings / Photo: Newscom
Unfortunately for the Vikings, they will be without arguably their best defensive player for not only tomorrow’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but perhaps the next 4-6 weeks. Antoine suffered a sprained foot in the Vikes’ 33-31 win over Baltimore last Sunday and he’s been hobbling around in a walking boot since. After his departure from that game, backup defensive back Karl Paymah was beaten badly as the Ravens waged a fierce comeback. So Antoine’s return can’t come soon enough for a team that relies on his cover skills to aid their pass rush and his run support to keep teams from establishing any kind of ground game.
Source: ESPN.com
