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Emily Leiker

Sports Reporter | Newsroom

Emily Leiker covers the Vikings for the Minnesota Star Tribune. She was previously the Syracuse football beat writer for Syracuse.com & The Post-Standard, covering everything from bowl games to coaching changes and even a player-filed lawsuit against SU. Emily graduated from Mizzou in 2022 is originally from Washington state.

Recent content from Emily Leiker
Vikings outside linebacker Pat Jones II, right, sustained a knee injury in the second quarter last Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

Vikings' Pat Jones II out, two others questionable for regular-season finale vs. the Lions

Vikings outside linebacker Pat Jones II has not practiced all week after sustaining an knee injury against the Packers. His absence is expected to give more playing time to rookie Dallas Turner.
Since his return from knee surgery on Nov. 3, Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson has 39 receptions for 446 yards, the third most on the team despite hav

For Vikings' Hockenson, team stakes are more important than personal ones vs. Lions

Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson tore two ligaments in his right knee on a low hit the last time he played Detroit, his former team. But, he said Thursday, "You gotta just let that kind of stuff go."
Vikings kicker Will Reichard, left, reacts to missing a field-goal attempt against the Packers on Sunday.

Vikings stressing poise 'through the noise' to rookie kicker

Vikings rookie Will Reichard missed three kicks on Sunday against the Packers, but his coaches are preaching trust and single-mindedness as high-pressure scenarios increase with the playoffs coming.
Vikings running back Cam Akers carries the ball in the third quarter Sunday, before he took on a bigger role in the fourth quarter.

Akers stands out as a fill-in, calls game in Vikings' win against Packers

The running back replaced injured Aaron Jones and converted a third down to seal the victory.
Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor celebrates his touchdown catch in the second quarter of a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Three keys to the Vikings' 27-25 victory over the Packers

Jalen Nailor caught five passes on five targets for 81 yards Sunday and kicked off the Vikings' scoring with a 31-yard touchdown.
Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0), pictured celebrating a recovered fumble Oct. 20 against the Lions, has missed the team's last four games with a

Vikings' Pace questionable to return Sunday vs. Packers

Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was back at practice this week after a four-week stint on injured reserve, but is questionable for Sunday against Green Bay, which will be without top defenders Quay Walker and Jaire Alexander.
The Vikings' Josh Metellus (44) celebrates with teammates after an interception late in the fourth quarter against the Seahawks.

Vikings' vibe man stays animated whether celebrating success or mourning lost opportunity

Josh Metellus' focus Sunday was an interception that didn't get made by Blake Cashman, and he didn't drop the matter when they got to the locker room.
Seattle quarterback Geno Smith comes under pressure from Vikings defensive tackle Harrison Phillips in the third quarter. Smith threw two interception

Smith's fill-in stands out, nabbing game-winning interception for Vikings

Theo Jackson produced a big moment, and Minnesota added a second pick from an unexpected place. Rookie linebacker Dallas Turner intercepted Seattle's Geno Smith, too.
Vikings safety Harrison Smith had appeared in 32 straight regular-season or postseason games since missing the Week 18 game in the 2022 season.

Vikings will be without veteran safety Smith against the Seahawks

Vikings safety Harrison Smith, who's in his 13th NFL season, entered Sunday questionable because of a foot injury. He has not missed a game since the 2022 season.
Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt, winner of the team barbecue competition, celebrates an October touchdown with teammates.

Inside the Vikings' offseason bonding barbecue that's paying dividends in December

The tight ends took home the crown in a grilling competition thanks to Johnny Mundt's ribeye. Other rewards from the event — football victories — are still mounting.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was a full participant in practice Wednesday after being injured in Sunday's game vs. Green Bay.

Seattle QB Geno Smith, Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore have promising practices

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith was a full participant in practice Wednesday after being injured in Sunday's game vs. Green Bay, while Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore was also a full participant for the first time since his Dec. 1 hamstring injury.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones couldn’t quite pull himself into the U.S. Bank Stadium stands after a TD run Monday. “I was tired,” he said. �

In game with few explosive plays, Vikings' Aaron Jones went to work

With the Bears defense focused on the Vikings receiving corps, running back Aaron Jones totaled over 100 all-purpose yards and scored his 50th career rushing touchdown.
Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) picks up a first down on the Chicago Bears defense during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium on Monday nigh

Three keys to the Vikings' 30-12 win over the Bears

Vikings running back Aaron Jones carried the offense, Justin Jefferson paid tribute to Randy Moss, and the Bears paid for undisciplined play.
Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore missed last week's game against Atlanta because of an injury.

Vikings' Stephon Gilmore returns to practice, questionable for 'Monday Night Football'

Gilmore was limited in Saturday's practice, his first day back since a Dec. 1 hamstring strain.
Randy Moss was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

Vikings Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss reveals diagnosis: 'Your boy is a cancer survivor'

Moss shared Friday that cancer was discovered in his bile duct and that he had a six-hour operation to treat it.
Vikings rookie outside linebacker Dallas Turner (15) has seen his playing time increase and is getting unprompted praise from his coaches.

With guidance from Vikings veterans and Flores, rookie Turner is maturing into future 'elite player'

In a deep group of Vikings edge rushers that includes veterans such as Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard, first-round draft pick Dallas Turner is learning about the little things and being mentored by defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold celebrates after teammate Aaron Jones scored a touchdown Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Darnold solidified his worth — 'wherever that may be' — as an NFL quarterback

Signed as a bridge for this season with the Vikings, pending free agent Sam Darnold threw a season-high 347 yards and five touchdowns Sunday against the Falcons.
Viking safeties Josh Metellus (44), right, and Camryn Bynum (24) perform a dance from a movie after Metellus' interception in the second quarter again

Vikings add more cinematic celebrations to highlight reel

The Vikings lead the NFL in interceptions with 22 after getting two more against former teammate Kirk Cousins and the Falcons. They also top the league charts for celebrations.
Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22), linebacker Dallas Turner, center right, and cornerback Shaq Griffin, right, take down Falcons wide receiver Ray-Ra

Vikings rookie Turner, given more run, feels like he's 'just getting started'

The rookie edge rusher and undrafted rookie Gabe Murphy had bigger roles against the Falcons with edge rusher Patrick Jones II sidelined by a knee injury.
Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison leaps into the end zone for his third touchdown of the game against the Falcons on Sunday.

Three keys to the Vikings' 42-21 win over the Falcons

Wide receiver Jordan Addison scored three touchdowns, including back-to-back scores in the fourth quarter that gave the Vikings a lead they never relinquished.
Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16) kicks a field goal during the fourth quarter as the Vikings take on the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur St

Vikings activate kicker Reichard, release Romo

Rookie Will Reichard missed four games on injured reserve because of a quad injury he suffered in a victory over the Colts.
Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore will miss his first game of the season Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Gilmore out for Vikings; Reichard questionable for Falcons game

Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore will miss Sunday's game against Atlanta. Six Vikings players are questionable, including kicker Will Reichard, linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and defensive lineman Harrison Phillips.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) celebrates the 20-17 victory over the Washington Commanders at FedEx Field, in Landover, MD, on Sunday,

'Fun cat-and-mouse game' between Vikings defense and Cousins reaches new level

How are Brian Flores and the Vikings preparing to defend their former quarterback Kirk Cousins? "I'm expecting his best," the defensive coordinator said. "The best version of Kirk."
Vikings kicker Will Reichard celebrates a 58-yard field goal against the Texans on Sept. 22 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Rookie kicker Will Reichard and long snapper Andrew DePaola return to Vikings

The two specialists had been on injured reserve for a month and will try to quickly return to action.
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson dives for yards as he’s tackled by Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson in the second quarter.

Three keys to the Vikings' 23-22 win against the Cardinals

Wide receiver Justin Jefferson returned to prominence with seven catches, and one of them set up the winning touchdown.
Fans greet fullback C.J. Ham as he exits the field after the Vikings defeated the Jets 23-17 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Ham was awarded t

Vikings' Ham used the words of his grandfather to overcome the loss of his grandfather

The fullback played against the Bears only hours after George Ham died. He drew strength from teammates and coaches and inspiration from George himself.
Vikings quarterback Daniel Jones speaks Friday at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, his first public comments since signing with Minnesota.

Midseason addition of Jones creates balancing act at QB for Vikings

Quarterback Daniel Jones officially signed to the Vikings practice squad on Friday and made his first public comments since being released by the Giants.
Vikings rookie linebacker Bo Richter celebrates after recovering a muffed punt Sunday against the Bears in Chicago. Richter has become a special teams

Richter 'continues to excel' as Vikings special teams come off roller-coaster performance against Bears

After early success on special teams, the Vikings broke even with costly plays in the final minutes of regulation as the Bears mounted an 11-point comeback.