Ahead of Minnesota Game, Packers Place Key Player on IR

The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings meet on Sunday to write another chapter in the long-storied rivalry.

Both teams are in need of a win, as the Vikings aim to move to 4-4 with a victory after a tough 0-3 start to the season.

The Packers have lost three straight games and sit at 2-4 this season, and have continued to battle injuries.

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Now, with just days until kickoff from Lambeau Field, Green Bay has announced that they are shelving a key defender on the injured reserve:

Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports that the Packers have placed Savage on injured reserve. The move means he will miss at least four games due to the calf injury he suffered in last Sunday’s loss to the Broncos.

Darnell Savage is a starter on the backend of the Packer defense at Safety, and now the team will have to scramble to replace him ahead of facing the Vikings.

Savage was in the midst of a resurgent season, recording 34 total tackles through the team's first 6 games.

It's a contract year for Savage, so we'll have to wait and see if he returns and what he's able to bring to a Packers defense that is in need of consistent playmakers.

Savage has recorded 285 total tackles, 9 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries in 4 plus seasons since Green Bay selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Maryland.

*UPDATE*

Savage isn't the only Green Bay defensive back that headed to IR on Wednesday:

Sources: Pro Football Talk - NBC Sports, Rob Demovsky Twitter and Pro Football Reference (Stats)

Ten Most Disappointing Minnesota Sports Seasons

The 2021 Minnesota Twins entered the season with high expectations, but unfortunately, they've made the list of most disappointing Minnesota teams of all time.

Disappointment is a common feeling for Minnesota sports fans as the years continue. Following the NBA Championship win for Milwaukee, SportsCenter was quick to point out that Minnesota has the current longest streak of seasons without a championship appearance in the four major sports (MLB/NBA/NFL/NHL). The Minnesota Lynx also chimed in on the stat after claiming four championships since 2011.

The ten teams that are on this list all follow a similar pattern. The year prior was either a great season with a playoff run or one that featured a strong core of players that appeared to have taken the next step. Offseason/preseason expectations were high with even Las Vegas oddsmakers believing in a deep run. Unfortunately, those preseason expectations fell short for the following teams. None of the teams listed below made the playoffs.

Gallery Credit: Jerry Palleschi

South Dakota Born NFL Players of this Century

While not a traditional powerhouse Nation Football League feeder, South Dakota has produces a fair number of football players that went on to the big time in the NFL.

Here are some that have played on various teams over the last couple of decades.