2023 Season News - Practice Notes, Pressers, Injuries, etc.

RB
Akers will definitely be missed as he was sort of a "do-it-all" RB out there for the Vikings: rushing, receiving and pass protection. I don't think they have another RB on their roster/PS that can do all three as well as Akers could; Chandler and Kene have more athleticism, but may not have the pass-protection prowess (and in Kene's case, perhaps not the receiving prowess, either), and McBride didn't show much receiving/pass protection in college or in the preseason.

Here are the available RB's on the market or PS's across the league:

Free Agent:
- J.D. McKissic: limited to 8 games in '22 before being put on IR (neck); capable receiver and serviveable runner
- Darrel Williams: Saints signed/released him during preseason; put on IR last Nov in Arizona; played decent for Cardinals last season
- Tevin Coleman: played sparingly for 49ers in '22; like McKissic he's capable receiver and serviveable runner

Practice Squads:
- Jake Funk (MIA): was with O'Connell in LAR in '21 so has some knowledge of system; plays on ST, too
- Kenyan Drake (CLE): on his 3rd team in 2023 (Colts released during final cutdown, Ravens signed to PS and CLE signed to PS)
- Melvin Gordon III (BAL): UDFA Keaton Mitchell is playing over Gordon III in Baltimore, probably due to athleticism

If O'Connell decides to use the current roster (ie, Chandler & Kene), then they might go after someone like Funk who was with O'Connell n LA in 2021 and can at least play on ST coverage. If they want to get a bit more production on whomever they bring in, perhaps they lean towards McKissic Or Darrel Williams. 

WR
I don't think they'll need to bring in another WR with Osborn in concussion protocol. Powell has stepped-in admirably and Nailor can work in the mix, too. The one aspect that Osborn does bring to the offense that might be missed is his run-blocking ability, which N'Keal Henry can probably do if need be. I don't think replacing Osborn's targets will be an issue, just perhaps his runblocking.