Vikings' Everson Griffen: Placed on reserve/NFI list
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The Vikings placed Griffen (personal) on the reserve/non-football illness list Friday, Eric Smith of the team's official site reports.
Griffen dealt with a personal issue Wednesday and hasn't been with the team since then. The Vikings later announced he "is now getting the care he needs," and "our focus remains on Everson's health and safety and providing the proper resources for him and his family."
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Away from team
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Griffen is away from the Vikings after mental health and law enforcement officials were called to his residence Wednesday afternoon, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports. Griffen was "transported (to where he can get) to the necessary resources and professionals that he needs to be with," said Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
Griffen posted a disturbing video on social media early Wednesday morning and called 911 to report a possible intruder, according to the Pioneer Press. No intruder was found in his home after local law enforcement officials and mental health officials responded, and Griffen was later transported by ambulance to a health care facility.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Returns to practice
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Griffen (concussion) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Minnesota co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson is optimistic Griffen can play this week against Seattle, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Griffen suffered the concussion Thursday in a car accident and missed last week's game. He swerved to miss a deer and hit a tree. It sounds like he will clear the concussion protocol and be ready to play this week.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Has QB hit in return to Vikings
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Griffen had a QB hit and QB hurry, according to Pro Football Focus, but no tackles in Sunday's overtime loss at Cincinnati.
Griffen played on 28 of the defense's 69 snaps as he'll be used primarily on passing downs. While he may have less playing time than in his prime, he still looks capable of having an impact in the pass rush.
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Lions' Everson Griffen: Activated from COVID-19 list
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The Lions activated Griffen from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
Griffen missed the Week 14 loss to the Packers and this past Sunday's loss to Tennessee, but he'll be able to return against Tampa Bay on Saturday. The veteran defensive end has accumulated 30 tackles (15 solo) and five sacks over 12 combined games with Detroit and Dallas this season.
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Lions' Everson Griffen: Lands on COVID-19 list
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Griffen was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Saturday.
Griffen either tested positive for the virus or came into close contact with an infected person. He won't be available for Sunday's game against the Packers, and if he tested positive, he'll miss next week's game versus the Titans as well. Romeo Okwara, Da'Shawn Hand (groin) and Austin Bryant (thigh) will handle most of the reps at defensive end in Week 14.
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Lions' Everson Griffen: Shipped to Detroit
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The Lions acquired Griffen from the Cowboys on Tuesday in exchange for a conditional 2021 sixth-round draft pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Griffen had been one of the few quality performers on a struggling Dallas defense this season, logging 2.5 sacks and 20 tackles through seven games. Since Griffen was playing on an expiring deal and the Cowboys recently returned another defensive end in Randy Gregory from suspension, Dallas apparently viewed the 32-year-old as an expendable piece. The addition of Griffen should provide a much-needed boost to Detroit's pass rush, but he won't be eligible to make his Lions debut until Week 9 in Minnesota while he waits to clear COVID-19 intake testing protocols, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
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Cowboys' Everson Griffen: Up to 2.5 sacks in 2020
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Griffen posted five tackles (three solo) and a sack in Sunday's 25-3 loss to Washington.
Griffen has yet to start a game this season, but he's handling a starter's workload, logging at least 50 percent of the defensive workload in six of seven contests. The veteran defensive end is now up to 20 tackles (10 solo), 2.5 sacks and a pass breakup this year, and he has a favorable Week 8 matchup against the Eagles on tap, as Carson Wentz has been sacked a league-high 28 times this year.
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Cowboys' Everson Griffen: Lands in Dallas
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Griffen agreed to terms Wednesday with the Cowboys on a one-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
The deal could be worth up to $6 million with incentives and bonuses, per David Helman of DallasCowboys.com. Griffen will add a proven presence to an already stout defensive line in Dallas after having spent the first 10 years of his professional career in Minnesota. The 31-year-old recording at least five sacks in each of the past eight seasons and logged 41 tackles (26 solo) and eight sacks across 863 defensive snaps in 2019. He'll likely slot into the starting lineup at defensive end opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, giving Dallas a formidable pair of bookends for their pass rush.
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Everson Griffen: Return to Minnesota ruled out
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Griffen is no longer considering re-signing with the Vikings, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Griffen's agent released a statement saying "We have broken off talks with Minnesota because they have to spend their money elsewhere and we decided to now focus our attention on free agency." After having spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings, the veteran defensive end will now look to bring his talents elsewhere. Griffen has notched at least 40 total tackles and eight sacks in five of the last six seasons.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Records eight sacks in 2019
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Griffen, who posted six tackles and 1.5 sacks over two postseason contests, finished the 2019 season with 41 tackles, eight sacks and two pass breakups over 15 regular-season games.
The 32-year-old defensive end finished second on the team in sacks behind Danielle Hunter (14.5), while third-year pro Ifeadi Odenigbo wasn't far behind with seven. Griffen averaged 57.5 defensive snaps per contest, and he'll be a starter again in 2020. He has three years remaining on his contract.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Clear for Week 14
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Griffen (knee) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game versus the Lions.
Griffen played a season-low 57 percent of defensive snaps against the Seahawks and began the week as a limited practice participant, but he's ready to go for Week 14. The 31-year-old should resume his typically heavier workload now that he's healthy.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Credited with limited practice
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Griffen (knee) was limited in Thursday's practice.
Minnesota did not practice Thursday, so this status is just an estimation. The 31-year-old has yet to miss a game this season, but if he were to sit out, Ifeadi Odenigbo would likely see more snaps.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Dealing with quad injury
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Griffin was estimated to be a non-participant on Monday's injury report with a quadriceps issue.
The Vikings didn't actually practice Monday, but it's still not a great sign Griffen wasn't expected to practice. The 31-year-old played a season-high 73 snaps in Sunday's win over the Lions and it's unclear how he sustained the injury. Griffen's status for Thursday's matchup with the Redskins remains up in the air.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Another sack Sunday
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Griffen recorded six tackles (four solo) and a sack across 41 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Raiders.
Griffen notched his second sack of the season Sunday and had the most tackles in a single contest so far this year. Overall, it was probably the veteran's best performance of the season, but he'll look to raise the bar next Sunday against Mitch Trubisky and the Bears in Chicago.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Continues to bully Lions
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Griffen recorded two tackles, including one sack, during Sunday's victory over the Lions.
Vikings pass rushers weren't as productive as they were during their first meeting with Detroit this season when Minnesota sacked quarterback Matthew Stafford a combined 10 times, but the unit still had no trouble shutting down a Lions offense depleted of star power. Griffen was a big part of that, and the veteran now has 5.5 sacks in 10 games this season.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Another sack Sunday
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Griffen recorded one sack across 43 defensive snaps in Sunday's win over the Packers.
Griffen didn't stuff the stat sheet Sunday night, but showed up when it mattered most, delivering a huge sack on Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter with the Packers driving. Across six games this season, Griffen has recorded 14 tackles and three sacks.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Set to return to team
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Griffen (personal) will resume team activities Wednesday.
The team announced his return but didn't specify if he would return to practice or if he's a candidate to play this week against New Orleans. Griffen stepped away from the team after Week 2 to receive a mental health evaluation after he was involved in a string of concerning incidents, including an assault threat directed toward staff members at a Minneapolis hotel.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Vikings not ruling out his return
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Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer refuted a report that the team doesn't expect Griffen to return from his mental health issues, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. "I saw the report and I think it was false," Zimmer said. "Let's just say that."
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that Griffen isn't expected to return "any time soon." However, Griffen hasn't returned to practice this week and said in a statement that there was no timetable for his return. The Vikings have kept Griffen on the 53-man roster, however, which would appear to indicate they believe he could return this season. Griffen stepped away from the team to receive a mental health evaluation after he was involved in a recent string of concerning incidents, including an assault threat directed toward staff members at a Minneapolis hotel.
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Vikings' Everson Griffen: Will be away for a while
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Griffen (personal) isn't expected to return to the team "anytime soon," Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Griffen continues to deal with unspecified mental health problems, and there's still no specific timetable for the pass rusher to rejoin the Vikings. As evidence, a different source relayed he "could be back next week or could never play again, you just don't know when it comes to mental health." Stephen Weatherly will continue starting at defensive end.
