Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph has played three games on a sprained right ankle. He’s finally about to get some extra rest.
Rudolph was in a walking boot after playing just 28 snaps in Minnesota’s 23-10 victory over Chicago at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings earned a first-round playoff bye as the NFC’s No. 2 seed, and he expects to feel a lot better when they next play Jan. 14 on their home field.
“I finally get some time off, so I’m going to try to get this thing back to 100 percent,” Rudolph said. “I played three games on it, so now I get some time off.”
Rudolph injured his ankle Dec. 10 at Carolina and was listed as doubtful two days before a Dec. 17 game against Cincinnati. He ended up playing against the Bengals, at Green Bay on Dec. 23 and on Sunday against the Bears.
Playing reduced snaps because of the injury, Rudolph caught just one pass for three yards against Chicago to finish the season with 57 catches for 532 yards.
The Vikings lost fullback C.J. Ham in the first half Sunday with a neck injury.
Minnesota entered the game without center Pat Elflein (shoulder), defensive tackle Shamar Stephen (ankle) and cornerback Tramaine Brock (foot).
2018 FOES SET
With New Orleans winning the NFC South, the Vikings have all of their opponents set for next season.
As usual, the Vikings will play home and away against NFC North foes Chicago, Detroit and Green Bay. They also will play at home against Arizona, San Francisco, New Orleans, Buffalo and Miami. They will play on the road against the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle, Philadelphia, New England and the New York Jets.
Dates for the games will be set in April.
