Jaleel Johnson grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. on the other side of the Hudson River, less than two hours from where MetLife Stadium now sits.
Though he moved to Illinois as a teenager, where he became a high school football and wrestling star, Johnson still has family and friends back in the northeast. His mother, Tina, will get to see him play Sunday for the first time this year, along with a family friend.
With nose tackle Linval Joseph missing a pair of practices this week (ankle/knee/shoulder), Johnson may be in position to serve a much bigger role against the New York Jets.
“If my number is called I’ll be ready to go,” Johnson said. “In this case, this may be the week to do it.”
Johnson has played an average of 16 snaps per game as a regular in the Vikings defensive line rotation. Joseph is listed as questionable for Sunday, which could mean a greater dose of Johnson and Sheldon Richardson playing next to each other on the interior. Richardson is a former Jets Pro Bowler.
“Being that he came from the Jets, he knows a little bit about their offensive line,” said Johnson, “knows their tendencies and what they do up front. It’s been very helpful.”
Favorable matchup for Thielen
For the second time in four weeks, the Vikings may be able to take advantage of a hobbled opposing secondary. Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, John DeFilippo liked the Vikings receivers’ chances with Aqib Talib out and Marcus Peters playing through pain, so Minnesota threw it 50 times.
The Jets will be without CB Buster Skrine and S Marcus Maye, while CB Trumaine Johnson is doubtful. In all likelihood, the Jets will play sixth-round rookie Parry Nickerson in the slot position. Nickerson has played 152 of his 155 snaps between New York’s Week 3, Week 5 and Week 6 games. According to Pro Football Focus, he has permitted league highs of 17 receptions and 197 yards in those three games combined.
Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs are interchangeable in the slot for the Vikings, and Thielen is notably going for a seventh consecutive 100-yard output.
“Going into each game you really count on them having their best guys there,” said head coach Mike Zimmer. “As you get to the game you might change a few things based on availability, but we always prepare for the best guys.”
Doug Middleton will likely be the safety to replace Maye with Darryl Roberts stepping in for Johnson, who hasn’t played since Sept. 30.
As for Thielen, he’s not yet satisfied despite his historic start to the season.
“I’ve been terrible in the run game,” he said Thursday of his blocking. “Felt like I did a little bit better job last week, but I still could get a lot better.”
Vikings injuries
Running back Dalvin Cook (hamstring) will miss his third straight, as confirmed by Zimmer Friday afternoon. Cook has only played 18 snaps (all in Week 4) since suffering his injury in Week 2. He’s been on and off the injury report and missed Thursday and Friday’s practices this week after participating on Wednesday.
The Vikings rushed for nearly 200 yards last week with Latavius Murray getting the bulk of the workload.
In addition, Andrew Sendejo (groin) and Riley Reiff (foot) will miss their second straight game. Sendejo has been seen stretching and rehabbing at practice, while Reiff has been absent since aggravating his injury in Week 5.
Joseph and Danielle Hunter (groin) both returned to practice Friday. Joseph is questionable, and Hunter was not given an injury designation.
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