WR Michael Jenkins (All B1G, National Champion)

[Buckskin86]

Vikings put WR Jenkins on IR, sign S Page

The Minnesota Vikings placed four players on injured reserve Tuesday, including wide receiver Michael Jenkins and safety Tyrell Johnson, and signed four others among a slew of moves.
Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday that Jenkins suffered a knee injury in Sunday's loss at Atlanta and Johnson had a "significant" hamstring injury.

Long snapper Cullen Loeffler, who has a lower back fracture, and safety Husain Abdullah (concussion) were also placed on IR. Abdullah had missed the last two games.

Jenkins, who was signed in July after spending his first seven NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, had 38 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.

http://www.kget.com/sports/story/Vi...on-IR-sign-S-Page/xFM_XVYcH0iVtdJkO9qmqA.cspx

 

[Buckskin86]

Minnesota Vikings receiver Michael Jenkins says knee healed and he's ready to go
By Jeremy Fowler
[email protected]
Posted: 05/22/2012

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins said in a text message his torn meniscus in his knee has fully healed and he will be with the team for the start of Organized Team Activities. The Vikings take the field with the coaching staff May 30.

Jenkins was on pace for a career year, recording 38 catches for 466 yards and three touchdowns, before missing the final five games of the season with the injury. The torn meniscus required surgery, but recovery is considered much smoother than that of a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Jenkins, wide receiver Percy Harvin (shoulder surgery) and defensive end Jared Allen were among the few veterans who didn't attend the team's voluntary offseason conditioning at Winter Park earlier this month.

Entering his ninth season, the 29-year-old Jenkins will compete with free-agent signee Jerome Simpson for the Vikings' No. 2 receiver spot behind Harvin.

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/c...ngs-receiver-michael-jenkins-says-knee-healed

 

[Buckskin86]

Vikings OC Bill Musgrave mentioned Michael Jenkins first when asked who will fill in at split end during Jerome Simpson's three-game suspension.
Jenkins is projected to start at X receiver, with Percy Harvin at Z. In three-receiver sets, Harvin would move to the slot with someone like Devin Aromashodu or Stephen Burton playing outside, opposite Jenkins. When Simpson returns, look for Jenkins to be the third receiver.

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pl...news.asp?sport=NFL&id=2645&line=235132&spln=1

 

[Buckskin86]

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities hints that Michael Jenkins' roster spot could be in danger heading into training camp.
Beat writer Tom Pelissero suggests that Jenkins could end up losing his roster spot if fourth-round pick Greg Childs "comes along." A 30-year-old possession receiver, Molasses Mike doesn't play special teams and is owed a $2.5 million salary. The Vikings wouldn't lose much by moving on before the season. Jul. 20

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/pl...news.asp?sport=NFL&id=2645&line=235972&spln=1

 

[Buckskin86]

*Veteran receiver Michael Jenkins could be feeling lingering effects from that November meniscus tear. Ponder said Jenkins was catching the ball well in minicamp but was having trouble planting on the knee and didn?t look comfortable running on it. ?As soon as his knee gets better he?ll be a lot better,? Ponder said. Certainly something to monitor in Mankato. Jenkins had told me in May that the knee was feeling good.

http://blogs.twincities.com/vikings...harvin-considers-wr-a-strength-entering-camp/

 

[Buckskin86]

The surgically repaired knee that slowed WR Michael Jenkins in the offseason apparently is no longer an issue. "There was a period there where he was pretty far behind, but he caught up," Frazier said.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...ian_Peterson_to_get_action_in_preseason072812

3 key Vikings position battles to watch
By Joe Oberle | CBSSports.com
July 27, 2012

WR -- Michael Jenkins vs. Greg Childs. On the first day of practice, WRs Jerome Simpson and Harvin lined up for the first team reps, while Jenkins, who started at wideout before injuring his knee late in the 2011 season, was relegated to second string. Fourth-round draft choice WR Greg Childs, who missed plenty of OTAs with a calf injury, was also on the 2nd string, and coach Leslie Frazier said that he is ready to go. ?We think he is 100 percent now,? said Frazier. ?He missed a lot in minicamp, so we need him to stay healthy and on the field because we're counting on him to be in the mix during the regular season.?

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/19671292/key-vikings-position-battles-to-watch

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: July 30th, 2012
Michael Jenkins' knee feels 'good,' but spot with Vikings not secure
by Tom Pelissero
1500ESPN.com

MANKATO, Minn. -- Michael Jenkins pronounced himself fully recovered from knee surgery on Monday. Now he just has to worry about making the Minnesota Vikings roster.

"It's kind of my first ever injury like that," Jenkins said. "But it's good now."

The 30-year-old receiver suffered a torn meniscus in one of his knees on Nov. 27 at Atlanta and had surgery the following week. He remained hobbled through last month's minicamp but has looked more like his old self since training camp began on Friday.

"He looks a lot better than he did in our offseason program," coach Leslie Frazier said over the weekend. "He struggled during that period of time."

Drafted 29th overall in 2004 by the Falcons and released after the NFL lockout ended in July, Jenkins quickly got a three-year deal with a $2 million signing bonus from the Vikings, who were desperate for a receiver familiar with new coordinator Bill Musgrave's offense.

He caught 38 passes for 466 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games (seven starts) before the injury. But new additions at the position -- signing Jerome Simpson, drafting Greg Childs and Jarius Wright in the fourth round out of Arkansas -- have cast doubt on Jenkins' ability to make a rebuilding team as a backup with a $2.5 million base salary.

"It feels like it's a lot more" depth, Jenkins said. "Bringing in the young guys from Arkansas, bringing in Jerome from Cincinnati just adds playmakers on the field for us. It's exciting to see everybody out there making plays."

cont...

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...s_good_but_spot_with_Vikings_not_secure073012

 

[Buckskin86]

Michael Jenkins Says Minnesota Vikings Will be Improved In 2012- interview with Dustin Fox

 

[Buckskin86]

Minnesota Vikings: Michael Jenkins-Christian Ponder connection clicks
By Jeremy Fowler
[email protected]
Posted: 08/03/2012

MANKATO, Minn. -- Wide receiver Michael Jenkins laid out for at least two passes and was a primary option for quarterback Christian Ponder during two-minute-drill work Friday, Aug. 3.

Ponder and Jenkins connected twice on the drive, when Ponder finished 7 of 10 passing, and Jenkins' beautiful sideline catch was ruled incomplete because he didn't keep two feet inbounds.

Jenkins, 30, the oldest member of a 12-man receiver corps on a team getting younger, said his effort shouldn't be confused with protecting a roster spot.

"You don't think about that," he said. "You just go out and make plays and let the coaches worry about the numbers."

Jenkins took reps with the first and second teams Friday.

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/c...el-jenkins-christian-ponder-connection-clicks

 

[Buckskin86]

How much time is left for Jenkins?

It's been hard to gauge the 2012 potential of receiver Michael Jenkins, who has had an up-and-down camp so far. One minute, Jenkins is quick on his breaks and making tough grabs and providing Christian Ponder with a security blanket in the passing game. The next minute, the 30-year-old receiver seems slow and clunky, perhaps still recovering from the surgery he had last winter to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Greg Childs' season-ending knee injuries give Jenkins a greater opportunity to stick around. But will he show enough in the next three weeks to make it worthwhile for the Vikings to keep him?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/165210016.html?refer=y

 

[Buckskin86]

Updated: August 14th, 2012 8:32pm
Source: Michael Jenkins takes pay cut in hopes of staying with Vikings
by Tom Pelissero
1500ESPN.com

MANKATO, Minn. -- Michael Jenkins wasn't a lock to make the Minnesota Vikings' roster even after rookie Greg Childs was lost for the season.

Taking a sizeable pay cut improved Jenkins' chances.

According to NFL sources, Jenkins agreed last week to renegotiate the two years remaining on his contract and reduce his 2012 base salary from $2.5 million to $1 million. His 2013 salary also was reduced, from $2.5 million to $825,000.

Jenkins could earn back some of that money in the form of a roster bonus that increased from $750,000 under the deal he signed last July to $2.425 million. But that seems unlikely for a 30-year-old possession receiver on a rebuilding team.

It's the second time in as many seasons the Vikings have made such a deal with a veteran receiver on the bubble. After the NFL lockout ended last summer, Bernard Berrian and Greg Camarillo agreed to reduce their salaries and both made the roster.

Jenkins' situation is more complicated because concerns have been growing about his lack of explosion, which may stem from the surgery he had in late November to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

"I don't feel like it's an issue," Jenkins said of the knee on Tuesday, before the pay cut was revealed. "I'm just ready to go out and make plays."

cont...

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...ay_cut_in_hopes_of_staying_with_Vikings081412

 

[Buckskin86]

Minnesota Vikings: Receiver Michael Jenkins relies on savvy, not speed
Bob Sansevere
Posted: 08/24/2012

Vikings wide receiver Michael Jenkins. (Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins had a 35-yard catch in the Vikings' preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills last week, and, although he's not your classic speed-burning deep threat, he has shown a knack over his nine-year NFL career for getting open deep.

Earlier this month, Jenkins also showed a knack for being flexible when he agreed to take a pay cut from $2.5 million to $1 million for this season.

Jenkins' role with the Vikings hasn't been defined, but it is likely he will be called upon to go deep, particularly during the first three regular-season games when starter Jerome Simpson is serving a suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Heading into the Vikings' third preseason game Friday night, Aug. 24, against the San Diego Chargers, he discussed his role.

BS: How do you see your role as the season starts to unfold?

MJ: Just making plays. Go down and make plays. That's pretty much it. I'll try to help us win however I can.

BS: Were you told you would start when Simpson is out?

MJ: We know he's out, and they're going to have (someone) take that role when he's out. Hopefully, I can be that guy.

BS: It's probably safe to say you're not the fastest wide receiver on the planet. How do you get open? Is it being a veteran or a skill you have to beat guys?

MJ: You look at great players over the years, and even Larry Fitzgerald (Jr. of the Arizona Cardinals) isn't the fastest,

cont...

http://www.twincities.com/vikings/c...ngs-receiver-michael-jenkins-relies-savvy-not

 

[Buckskin86]

With Jerome Simpson suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the season, Michael Jenkins will get the start opposite Harvin at wide receiver against the Jaguars.

http://www.1500espn.com/sportswire/...m_campaign=Feed:+1500espn/sportswire/vikings+

 

[Buckskin86]

Michael Jenkins helps Vikings offense keep its cool
By Jeremy Fowler
[email protected]
Posted: 09/09/2012

Wide receiver Michael Jenkins reminded the Vikings' offense not to panic with 14 seconds left and about 30 yards to go to reach field-goal range and tie the game.

That's because he and Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan connected on a 21-yard pass with one second left in 2008 to set up a game-winning field goal for Atlanta.

The team actually saw the clip of Jenkins' sideline catch a few weeks back. Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave was the Falcons' quarterbacks coach that year.

"Jenkins came in the huddle and said there's enough time," wide receiver Percy Harvin said.

He was right. Quarterback Christian Ponder completed two passes to set up Blair Walsh's 55-yard field goal.

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_21504689/michael-jenkins-helps-vikings-offense-keep-its-cool

 

[Buckskin86]

Michael Jenkins Gives The Minnesota Vikings A Big Veteran Receiver
September 11, 2012

Michael Jenkins, WR #84
Height: 6?4?
Weight: 214
Age: 30
Hometown: Tampa, FL
College: Ohio State
Experience: 9 years

Michael Jenkins was a big receiver with good speed for his size when he completed his eligibility with the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fall of 2003. The Minnesota Vikings took a chance on this former first round draft pick after he was released by the Atlanta Falcons before the start of training camp in 2011.

NFL draft experts pegged him as a physically mature, athletic, possession receiver that could, on occasion, be a deep threat. There were concerns that he lacked top-end speed and had an uncharacteristically high amount of dropped passes as a senior. Yet, the Falcons felt good enough about his upside that they traded up to get a second first round selection at the No. 29 spot in the draft to pick him.

He finally cracked the starting lineup in his second season after hauling in just seven passes as a rookie. He increased his production each season before reaching his current career-high of 53 pass catches in 2007. After that season, his production began to tail off before the Falcons cut ties with him in late July of 2011.

cont...

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/...the-minnesota-vikings-a-big-veteran-receiver/