As the Vikings look to solidify their depth chart at slot corner, one player in the thick of the competition will be sidelined for a while. Fifth-year veteran Jacob Lacey underwent surgery Wednesday in the Twin Cities to repair a dislocated thumb, an injury he suffered during Tuesday's Organized Team Activities.
The Vikings signed Lacey to a one-year deal in April, reuniting the cornerback with defensive coordinator Alan Williams, under whom he had played from 2009-2011 in Indianapolis. The addition of Lacey gave the Vikings' defense another option as they look for a slot corner to replace Antoine Winfield.
Josh Robinson, entering his second season, remains the frontrunner for that slot job. Robinson will compete with first-round pick Xavier Rhodes to secure a starting spot at outside corner. But through the first two weeks of OTAs, the Vikings first-unit nickel defense has featured Chris Cook and Rhodes outside with Robinson in the slot.
Lacey had been taking the reps as the No. 2 nickel corner before his thumb injury. During Wednesday's OTA workout, second-year corner Bobby Felder took many of the reps in that back-up role in the slot.
