Andrew

Sendejo

Sendejo is still in the protocol, but he has now practiced on back-to-back days to start the week, suggesting he will be cleared in time to face the Eagles on Sunday. If he cannot play, Anthony Harris will draw the start.

Both players suffered their injuries on Monday Night Football against the Ravens. Rhodes and Sendejo will have to pass through the league’s concussion protocol to play in Week 6. The Colts’ secondary would take a hit without them, although they might not need a lot to stop Davis Mills and the Houston aerial attack on Sunday.

The 49ers also worked out Clayton Geathers, Bradley McDougald, and Andrew Sendejo. They are clearly looking to add safety help, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they add someone in the coming days or weeks. Clinton-Dix worked out for the Colts last week as well. He didn’t play last season after the Cowboys cut him prior to Week 1.

Sendejo reunited with the Vikings following his mid-season release from Philly last year, arguably playing too many snaps (261) as the team’s nickel corner down the stretch due to Mackensie Alexander’s lingering knee injury. 33 in September, Sendejo, along with recently added teammate Karl Joseph, should allow for the Browns to ease any rookie into their starting lineup cautiously.

Claimed off waivers 11 days ago, Sendejo was not healthy enough to play in Week 10. He will help anchor the Vikings’ special teams unit. Inactive for the Vikes are WR Adam Thielen, DT Linval Joseph, OG Josh Kline, S Anthony Harris, OG Dru Samia, OT Oli Udoh and DT Hercules Mata’afa.

Vikings waived rookie S Marcus Epps in a corresponding move. Sendejo initially had his 2019 team-option declined by Minnesota back in February before the 32-year-old latched on with the Eagles. Currently under a one-year, $1.3 million contract, Sendejo is expected to practice with the Vikings as soon as Thursday.

Sendejo has been running as the Eagles’ No. 3 safety, but the team is playing the compensatory pick game, expecting this to net them an extra fourth-rounder. It’s a cynical but understandable move. 32-year-old Sendejo will undoubtedly latch on elsewhere for the stretch run.

32 in September, Sendejo’s major flaw remains the fact that he hasn’t been able to stay on the field for an entire season since 2013. Philadelphia still presents an optimal opportunity for the ex-Vikings safety as he’ll likely be a shoe-in for the team’s third safety-role behind proven starters Malcolm Jenkins and Rodney McLeod. The Eagles also have Tre Sullivan available as developing youth at the position.

The move saves Minnesota $5.5 million against the cap. Sendejo is a quality safety, but the Vikings do not need him after Anthony Harris emerged last season. Sendejo is entering a deep safety market, but he should be able to find a new home relatively quickly.

Sendejo had not played since Week 5. Anthony Harris has been doing a solid job opposite Harrison Smith. The fact that the Vikings held off so long on sending Sendejo to I.R. means they were optimistic he would get better, but he never did. Mostly a starter since 2013, Sendejo’s bugaboo has been injury. He has not appeared in all 16 games since 2013. Now 31, Sendejo is signed through next season, but his $5.45 million contract is a team option. It’s possible he will be asked to come back at a lower price.