Kevin Williams to Miss Week One due to Knee Injury

The Vikings have made it official: Kevin Williams will not play week one against the Detroit Lions. Williams has been battling a knee injury since he was cut-blocked by the San Francisco 49ers' Joe Looney during week three of the preseason. The block was not penalized by the NFL, but was largely questioned and thought by many as a "dirty" play. 

Williams has not missed a game due to injury since 2005, and it came at a very inopportune time for the Vikings. Christian Ballard, the Vikings' backup defensive tackle from 2012, is currently AWOL and Leslie Fraizer has said that he is not counting on Ballard returning this season. That leaves rookie Shariff Floyd, himself coming off of a knee injury that required a minor procedure, as the Vikings' starter. Floyd has plenty of talent, but the plan was for him to be eased into NFL life, and he needs to show he has enough stamina to withstand 60 minutes of NFL action. Nose tackle Letroy Guion has some experience playing Williams' under tackle role, and will likely play both tackle positions at Detroit so Floyd will be able to get plenty of rest of the sideline. Backup Chase Baker will also most likely see game action, and defensive end Everson Griffen may move inside on passing downs more often in order to fill the Vikings' defensive tackle rotation.

Williams' status is currently week to week, though he is confident he will be able to play week two at Chicago.