While Josh Dobbs won’t start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, he will be available to play.
According to Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, Dobbs will be active and serve as the primary backup to Jaren Hall for Minnesota’s Week 9 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
O’Connell’s announcement comes just days after the Vikings acquired Dobbs in a trade with the Arizona Cardinals ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Minnesota found itself in the market for a quarterback after starter Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in the Vikings’ Week 8 victory over the Green Bay Packers.
After spending the bulk of the preseason with the Cleveland Browns, where he was expected to serve as Deshaun Watson’s primary backup, the 28-year-old Dobbs was traded to the Cardinals ahead of the start of the regular season. Despite his late arrival, the Tennessee product opened the season as Arizona’s starting quarterback and completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions, while also adding 258 yards and three touchdowns on the ground before being traded earlier this week.
In heading the Minnesota, Dobbs could be counted on to help bridge the gap for a Vikings team that enters Sunday’s game in second place of the NFC North at 4-4. In addition to Hall and Dobbs, Minnesota also has Nick Mullens under contract, although the veteran is currently on injured reserve.
