Vikings designate DT Michael Pierce to return to practice

The 49ers defeated the Vikings on Sunday by torching their run defense for 208 yards on the ground.

But guess who can prevent that from happening again? The team designated Vikings DT Michael Pierce to return from IR, Minnesota announced Wednesday. Pierce is mostly a run-stopping nose tackle, so the Vikings getting him back should make a difference.

Pierce, Minnesota’s biggest free agency signing from 2020, was a high-risk opt out in his first year with the team. Pierce made his presence felt in his Vikings debut, tallying two sacks. But the Vikings defensive tackle has played in just four games.

Now, the Vikings have 21 days maximum until the team has to get Pierce in a game. Minnesota’s defense faces plenty of injury obstacles at the moment, especially on the defensive line — the Vikings had every starting defensive linemen out for the game. Minnesota needs Pierce back as soon as soon as possible if the Vikings want to make a run for the postseason.