Mike Zimmer announced earlier this week that the Vikings starting linebacker Anthony Barr is done for the season with a torn pectoral muscle. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Thursday morning that the Vikings have found Barr’s replacement for the remainder of the 2020 season.
Todd Davis was reportedly already in Minnesota earlier this week, but he had to clear COVID-19 protocols before he could officially sign with the Vikings.
Davis was a starter for the Denver Broncos over the last four seasons. In his career he has played in 85 games totaling 470 tackles, two sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
Although Davis doesn’t have the pass rushing ability that Barr brought to the table, he is still a reliable veteran that the Vikings desperately needed amongst their linebacking group. The 28-year-old also played with Gary Kubiak in 2015 and 2016 and has a PFF grade that fluctuates between 67 and 71.
The Vikings have struggled at stopping the run over their first two games of the season and that is likely going to continue with the lack of push coming from the defensive line. At the very least, the Vikings got another linebacker that can step up and replace the role that Barr played in Zimmer’s defense.