Kyle Rudolph
AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Jan. 21, 2021 12:55 PM EST
Jan. 27 1937 — Tris Speaker and Cy Young are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 1969 — The Pittsburgh Steelers name...

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries in vain to pull in a pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The Saints won 52-33. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Vikings enter offseason with deteriorated defense to repair

By Dave Campbell Jan. 04, 2021 06:29 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) tries in vain to pull in a pass over New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in the end zone in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The Saints won 52-33. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
Lions, Vikings both stumbling to the finish

By Noah Trister Dec. 31, 2020 05:19 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (33) runs from Chicago Bears safety Eddie Jackson (39) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
AP sources: Star Vikings RB Cook absent after father's death

By Dave Campbell Dec. 30, 2020 01:14 PM EST

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries for his fifth touchdown of the game, in the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings54 in New Orleans, Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Eliminated Vikings seek to find purpose from final week

By Dave Campbell Dec. 28, 2020 08:26 PM EST

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) fumbles as he is sacked by New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) in the second half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Saints sack leader Hendrickson, Vikings linebacker Davis out

Dec. 25, 2020 03:26 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, left, runs from Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (96) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Vikings' offense can't make up for depleted defense

By Brian Hall Dec. 21, 2020 06:29 PM EST

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) gives his cletes to a fan following an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. The Cowboys defeated the Bengals 30-7. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Eagles missing 3 starters in secondary against Cardinals

By The Associated Press Dec. 20, 2020 12:10 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings place kicker Dan Bailey (5) kicks a 23-yard field goal during overtime in an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 27-24. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Still kicking? "We'll see." Vikes keep Bailey for time being

By Dave Campbell Dec. 16, 2020 05:29 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) gets upended by Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Vikings' miscues have them on outside of playoffs, again

By Brian Hall Dec. 14, 2020 05:33 PM EST

Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) walks to the field for the start of the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. Washington Football Team quarterback Dwayne Haskins replaced Smith for the start of the second half. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alex Smith leaves Washington's game with right leg issue

Dec. 13, 2020 07:08 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrates after scoring against the Minnesota Vikings during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Brady throws for 2 TDs, Buccaneers wear down Vikings 26-14

By Fred Goodall Dec. 13, 2020 04:30 PM EST

Trainers check New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) after an injury during the second half of NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Colts have left tackle Castonzo, LB Okereke vs. Raiders

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 12:23 PM EST

32 players nominated for NFL's Sportsmanship Award

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 03:07 PM EST
From star quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Patrick Mahomes to standout center Jason Kelce to dynamic defensive end Joey Bosa, 32 players have been...

Vikings rising as Jaguars visit with 10-game losing streak

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2020 12:49 PM EST
JACKSONVILLE (1-10) at MINNESOTA (5-6) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS OPENING LINE — Vikings by 9 1/2 ...

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) dives past Carolina Panthers cornerback Stantley Thomas-Oliver (23) to score his second touchdown of the day in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Minneapolis, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020. (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)
Vikings' timely defensive stops keep playoff hopes alive

By Brian Hall Nov. 30, 2020 07:07 PM EST

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) tries to break a tackle by Minnesota Vikings defensive end D.J. Wonnum during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings 11/29/2020

Nov. 29, 2020 01:20 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, left, celebrates his sack of Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, right, during fourth-quarter NFL football game action in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. (Jeff Siner/The Charlotte Observer via AP)
Teddy Bridgewater's positivity has helped him persevere

By Steve Reed Nov. 25, 2020 06:59 PM EST

Chicago Bears quarterback Nick Foles tries to throw under pressure from Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (95) during the second half of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. Foles was injured on the play and left the game. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Cousins steps back to forefront for Vikings with Cook slowed

By Dave Campbell Nov. 17, 2020 06:10 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins warms up before the start of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Nov. 16, 2020, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears 11/16/2020

Nov. 16, 2020 07:32 PM EST