EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) -The Minnesota Vikings are anticipating safety Madieu Williams’s return to the field after their bye week, a long-delayed debut after signing a lucrative contract with the team on the first day of free agency.
The Vikings made Williams one of the highest-paid players at his position by giving him a six-year deal worth as much as $33 million with at least $12 million guaranteed, but he developed a nerve problem in his neck in early August and has needed 2 1/2 months to work back.
Williams said he expects to play Nov. 2 against the Houston Texans, though in what role remains unclear.
“That’s the mindset going forward,” he said. “Until something else changes between now and then, that’s the approach I’m going to take.”
hough he didn’t play in Sunday’s 48-41 loss to the Chicago Bears, Williams experienced his first full contact in practice leading up to the game since he was hurt.
“It went pretty well. I thought everything was a positive and feel good about it,” he said. “I didn’t have any anxiety at all. No setbacks. Just business as usual. It felt good going through practice. I felt better waking up in the morning knowing that nothing happened.”
Rookie Tyrell Johnson, a second-round draft pick from Arkansas State, has played well in place of Williams. Veteran Darren Sharper, in the final year of his contract, has not been much of a factor and does not have an interception yet.
“Whatever role I’m asked to fulfill, whether it’s starting or coming off the sideline, I’m willing to contribute,” Williams said. “I guess it’s one of those things we’ll have to wait and see.”
Williams played four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before coming to Minnesota. He was touted this spring as a hybrid safety who had the ability to cover receivers man to man, thus allowing Sharper to play more aggressively and take advantage of his nose for getting the ball.
“He’s going to help our team,” Sharper said. “We’re going to see how quickly it takes for him to get back into the flow of things, but we’re excited to have him back.”
Childress explained the team’s caution toward his rehabilitation.
“It’s all been a process with him,” the coach said. “The healing. Getting the cardio back to where it needs to be, and then back to the football-type movements. Last week, we introduced some of the collision-type stuff that has to go on and that you have to be comfortable with. You don’t want to do full-speed contact work for the first time in an NFL football game. That’s what we’re trying to get him back to.”
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