EAGAN, Minn. — Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer is fond of saying that a team can never have enough cornerbacks.
Or in this case, a safety who can play cornerback.
That's what Jayron Kearse did in Sunday's 24-16 win over San Francisco, as injuries forced Minnesota to mix up its secondary and shift Kearse to the nickel spot.
"It's something we've been doing since training camp, just been implementing it and putting different guys in at the slot," Kearse said Monday. "It just happened that yesterday we got into the situation where we needed to use me in the slot so I was able to go in and do what I had to do to help the team win."
The Vikings were already without cornerback Mackensie Alexander when cornerback Trae Waynes left the game with an injury midway through the second quarter.
Zimmer then switched Hughes from the nickel to outside cornerback and used Kearse in the slot against the 49ers.
"He's big and rangy. I know he tipped one ball on a blitz one time. He's tall and he's quick," Zimmer said after Sunday's win. "He's really improved a lot from his rookie year to now, I guess this is his third year, of understanding concepts in the defense. So, I think that has helped him.
"Sometimes safeties when they go to nickel, they understand the pattern reads and all those things a little bit better than just a guy coming in from a corner that has never seen all the different combinations," Zimmer added.
Kearse agreed with Zimmer's notion that safeties have an easier time going to the slot than an outside cornerback.
"Some of the things we do at safety, we're dropping down covering tight ends in the slot position. It's definitely easier for a safety to bump down to the nickel than putting a guy that's always played outside corner," Kearse said. "You see things different and things happen quicker."
Kearse ended up playing 22 of Minnesota's 66 defensive snaps. The 2016 seventh-round pick might have been on the field for just one-third of the total plays, but his contribution was sizable.
"It was big for me. Yesterday was a big day for me showing that I can be more than just a special teams player," Kearse said. "Going into year three, it was good for me to show that I can move around and make some plays."
Solid first impression
Matt Wile and Vikings fans made a solid first impression on each other Sunday.
The punter did his job in his Purple debut, landing four of six punts inside the 20-yard line and had a long of 56 yards. He averaged 38.3 yards per punt. Minnesota allowed just 14 yards on a pair of punt returns.
Wile's first punt was downed at the 4-yard line by rookie Mike Hughes, who caught Wile's kick on the fly.
"It was great. I was stoked when they caught the punt," Wile said. "If you let it bounce, it might not take the best bounce. I was happy we got it down at the 4. They ended up punting and we came back and got a field goal so it worked out well."
But Vikings fans also left a lasting mark on Wile, who was punting inside U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time ever.
"It's loud. It's a very loud stadium," Wile said. "I was laughing on the sideline because [Vikings Special Teams Coordinator Mike Priefer and long snapper Kevin McDermott] were talking and they were [just a few feet away from each other], and I couldn't hear a word they were saying.
"I could see their lips moving but I couldn't hear anything," Wile said. "It's the loudest stadium I've ever been in."
View images of Vikings new G Bryan Witzmann from his days with the Kansas City Chiefs, the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans.
Kansas City Chiefs guard Bryan Witzmann sets up to block in action against the Miami Dolphins during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 29-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates his touchdown between offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) and offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70), during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is greeted by offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) and quarterback Nick Foles (4) as he runs through a line of team mates in player introductions during a week 14 NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 21-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) looks on from the sidelines during an NFL AFC wild card playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. The Titans won 22-21. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates his touchdown between offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) and offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70), during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith calls signals as Laurent Duvemay-Tardif, center Zach Fulton and Bryan Witzmann get set in action against the Miami Dolphins during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 29-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) runs onto the field from the tunnel before an NFL regular season game against the Denver Broncos on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 29-19. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, center, celebrates his touchdown between offensive linemen Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (76) and Bryan Witzmann (70) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Tennessee Titans in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Eric Fisher, Bryan Witzmann, Zach Fulton, Laurent Duvemay-Tardif and Mitchell Schwartz look on as they wait to huddle up in action against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-15. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs guard Bryan Witzmann fires off the line as he prepares to block in action against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-15. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) and offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) block during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Monday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 26-15. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs center Zach Fulton looks over the defense prior to snapping the ball as guard Bryan Witzmann looks on in action against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 26-15. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) lines up against the Dallas Cowboys during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) during an NFL regular season game against the Denver Broncos on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 29-19. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs guard Bryan Witzmann sets up to block in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a NFL football game on Sunday, Oct 15, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs, 19-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) calls a play at the line of scrimmage in front of offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, Oct. 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) is tackled by Denver Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis (99) and Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) as Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) tries to protect him during the second half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, October 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) in action during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs, 19-13. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) blocks during the 2017 NFL week 7 regular season football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game 31-30. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line including Mitchell Schwartz, Jordan Devey, Zach Fulton, Bryan Witzmann and Eric Fisher wait to huddle in action against the Washington Redskins during a NFL football game on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Redskins, 29-20. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line including Mitchell Schwartz, Jordan Devey, Zach Fulton, Bryan Witzmann and Eric Fisher wait to huddle in action against the Washington Redskins during a NFL football game on Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Redskins, 29-20. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) and Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) block during the 2017 NFL week 7 regular season football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game 31-30. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
The Kansas City Chiefs walk to the field during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Carson, Calif. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers, 24-10. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) stands on the playing field during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Monday, Oct. 2, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 29-20. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs guard Bryan Witzmann (70) lines up in a two-point stance during a Week 7 NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, October 19, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 31-30. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) in action during an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Steelers defeated the Chiefs, 19-13. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) in action during an NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers' Joey Bosa charges toward Kansas City Chiefs' Bryan Witzmann during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70) pass blocks in action against the New England Patriots Thursday Sept. 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) pass blocks during an NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, August 25, 2017 in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Chiefs 26-13. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Los Angeles Chargers' Joey Bosa charges toward Kansas City Chiefs' Bryan Witzmann during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) blocks the defense during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70) blocks New England Patriots defensive lineman Malcom Brown (90) in action Thursday Sept. 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Mass (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann (70) blocks the defense during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2017 in Los Angeles. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, January 1, 2017. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 37-27. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) during an NFL preseason game between the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs, Aug. 25, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70) rests during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Jan.1, 2017, in San Diego, Calif. The Chiefs won the game, 37-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive guard Bryan Witzmann blocks in action against the Philadelphia Eagles during a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 27-20. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann blocks in action against the San Francisco 49ers during a NFL preseason football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Aug. 11, 2017. The 49ers won, 27-14. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann (70) rests during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, Jan.1, 2017, in San Diego, Calif. The Chiefs won the game, 37-27. (Greg Trott via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs center Mitch Morse (61) and offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) during an NFL preseason football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Chiefs, 26-13. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) during warm-ups before their NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) is greeted by offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) and quarterback Nick Foles (4) as he runs through a line of team mates in player introductions during a week 14 NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 21-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann runs onto the field as he prepares to warm up prior to action against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 21-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs tackle Bryan Witzmann (70) watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, January 1, 2017. The Chiefs defeated the Chargers 37-27. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Dallas Cowboys rookie offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (76) sets on the line during a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Friday, August 19, 2016 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 41-14. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Dallas Cowboys rookie offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (76) sets on the line during a preseason NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Friday, August 19, 2016 in Arlington, Tex. The Cowboys won the game 41-14. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (76) blocks during the second day of the Dallas Cowboys 2016 NFL training camp football practice held on Sunday, July 31, 2016 in Oxnard, Calif. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Jameill Showers, right, looks to pass as Cowboys' Bryan Witzmann (76) blocks Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Ethan Westbrooks, left, in the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Bryan Witzmann (76) looks to block during an NFL football practice Wednesday, June 15, 2016 in Irving, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
August 5, 2015: Houston Texans tackle Bryan Witzmann (68) during the Houston Texans training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston, TX. (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
Houston Texans tackle Bryan Witzmann walks onto the field during an NFL football training camp practice Saturday, July 26, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Collins out for the season
The Vikings on Monday signed offensive lineman Bryan Witzmann and put offensive lineman Aviante Collins on Injured Reserve.
Collins showed up on the injury report with an elbow injury that was suffered in practice last week. He had the roster as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and had worked at both guard and tackle in preseason and training camp.
Zimmer announced in his Monday press conference that Collins will miss the rest of the season.
"A.C. is a good football player, and we're going to miss him," Zimmer said. "But we're going to continue to build depth, we're going to continue to push."
The Vikings announced **Witzmann’s signing** shortly after Zimmer's press conference.
Collins expressed his feelings on his Instagram account:
