Speed Demon on Active Roster, Darrisaw and Hitman, Colts Strength

Jun 15, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Kalon Barnes. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.Questions Answered: Speed Demon on Active Roster, Darrisaw and Hitman, Colts Strength

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the December 15th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

Questions Answered: Speed Demon on Active Roster, Darrisaw and Hitman, Colts Strength

Q: So, the new really fast guy, Kalon Barnes, isn’t on the practice squad? He’s game-ready?

Questions Answered: Speed Demon on Active Roster, Darrisaw and Hitman, Colts Strength
Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baylor Bears cornerback Kalon Barnes. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports.

A: He reportedly spent time honing his craft on the Miami Dolphins practice squad after getting drafted by the Carolina Panthers in April.

The Vikings feel he’s worthy of the active roster, as Barnes is not currently on the practice squad. Minnesota signed Sheldon Day, a defensive tackle, for practice-squad duty this week.

Barnes probably isn’t the next big thing at cornerback, but he can contribute on special teams. Because rookies Andrew Booth and Akayleb Evans are on injured reserve, the Vikings evidently have active-roster space for Barnes.

Q: Are Christian Darrisaw and Harrison Smith fully good to go against the Colts?

Questions Answered: Early 2023 Draft Needs, Darrisaw as a Breakout, Mattison Trade Still Alive?
Nov 7, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) looks to pass as offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.

A: Yes, they’re not even on the injury report for Saturday.

Darrisaw is finally ready after missing about a month in the NFL’s concussion protocol. The Vikings played it safe with the phenom left tackle — a smart move.

Smith was held out last weekend as a precaution and probably could’ve played if it was the postseason. But now, he’s back.

Q: What, if anything, are the Colts good at?

Indianapolis Colts interim head coach Jeff Saturday. © Robert Scheer/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK.

A: Somewhere along the line this week, fans decided that the Colts were an utterly atrocious football team. They’re not. Indianapolis is a notch or two below the 2020 or 2021 Vikings.

The Colts defense is no joke, ranking 12th in the NFL per defensive DVOA. That has been swept under the rug in recent weeks because they allowed 54 points to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 13.

But, on the whole, the Colts are a sound defensive team with tremendous troubles on offense. The Vikings should win, nevertheless, but don’t expect a pushover.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).