Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes was limited in Sunday’s game against the Chargers. He was dealing with an ankle injury going into the game and suffered what appeared to be a calf injury during the game.
However, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said those weren’t reasons why Rhodes wasn’t on the field as much as he has been previously this season.
“No,” Zimmer said Monday. “That was just the plan going in.”
Rhodes was on the field for 14 plays on Sunday. To put that into perspective, a month ago, he was on the field for 79 plays in a game.
This is directly connected to Rhodes’ inability to guard anyone. Rhodes has a Pro Football Focus grade of 47.9 this season, the worst mark of his career and a mark that ranks 111th out of 122 ranked corners in the league.
It’s hard to imagine Rhodes as a Viking in 2020. Rhodes is due $10.5 million next season, but the Vikings can cut ties with him for a penalty of $4.8 million. That price seems steep, but it’s probably worth it. The way Rhodes is playing right now, you actually have to wonder if his career is nearing the end before he’s hit 30 years old.
