As expected, the Vikings have placed rookie outside linebacker Anthony Barr on injured reserve, tweets ESPN’s Adam Caplan. To take his spot on the roster, the team has promoted linebacker Josh Kaddu from the practice squad. This news comes about a week after we learned that the team was anticipating Barr missing the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The ninth-overall pick in this past year’s draft, Barr has been one of the most productive defensive rookies this season. The linebacker currently has the fifth-highest rating on Pro Football Focus (subscription required) among rookie defenders (following Khalil Mack, Aaron Donald, Chris Borland and C.J. Mosley), and he leads all Vikings linebackers in snaps played. He’s compiled 70 tackles, four sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 12 starts this season.
Kaddu was a fifth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2012, but he only made five appearances with Miami during his two-year tenure. He briefly spent time with the Eagles earlier this year before signing with Minnesota in September.
Barr gave Kaddu his vote of approval (via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Twitter):
“I think he has a great opportunity to help us out this weekend. … I think he’ll do well if he does.’’