Rashod Hill has played 147 snaps for the Vikings. More than a handful of his plays have inspired confidence that they might have found a steady prospect at backup tackle.
But none of those snaps has been in an actual NFL start, until Sunday. In Washington, Hill will get his first start at right tackle when he replaces injured Mike Remmers, who has been ruled out because of a concussion suffered two weeks ago against the Browns.
What does getting the start do for Hill? It gets him a full week of practice at the spot he'll actually play.
"Oh yeah, it helps me a lot, man," Hill said of practicing at right tackle all week. "Because unfortunately, when we were in London and Mike went down, I had been playing left [tackle] all week. So getting a full week down means getting a better feel for the plays."
Hill is the type of guy you see — 6 feet 6 with long arms at 313 pounds — and think, yeah, he should be playing in the NFL. That's what got him in the door as an undrafted prospect from Southern Mississippi. The Vikings, in a massive pinch last year at the position, plucked him from the Jaguars practice squad. He has since taken advantage of his limited reps.
The Vikings and Hill are still working to refine his footwork, especially as a run blocker, where coaches would like to see him be more physical.
"I thought he did better with the running game this week, putting his body on people," coach Mike Zimmer said. "Hopefully, it carries over to the game."
Griffen in, Easton back
Defensive star Everson Griffen returned to practice Friday for the Vikings and is expected to play Sunday in Washington, according to Zimmer. Griffen, who declined interview requests all week, is listed as questionable because of a foot injury suffered against the Browns.