On this day, Gerald Hodges is conflicted.
The second-year outside linebacker could get the biggest opportunity of his young Vikings career Sunday. That's why, when asked about potentially making his first NFL start, he can't help but sheepishly grin, the glimmering gold on his bottom row of teeth grabbing your attention by the facemask.
But then the 23-year-old thinks about Chad Greenway, the veteran mentor who, whether Greenway was aware of it or not, has been grooming Hodges to perhaps one day replace him as a starter.
If a busted hand and a broken rib finally sideline Greenway, who missed practice again Thursday and whose status is in doubt for Sunday's home game against the Atlanta Falcons, the proverbial next man up will likely be Hodges.
"I've been waiting for this time for a long time," Hodges said. "It's no knock on Chad. I hope he's fine and everything. And I know he'll be fine. Everything I've learned here, I've learned the majority of that through him in the meeting room and just picking his brain and seeing how he works. That helps me a lot to get me ready to play."
In terms of playing time, Hodges had a small role for the Vikings this season, playing mostly on third downs before filling in for Greenway on the final drive of last week's 20-9 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Hodges has played 38 of the team's 208 defensive snaps. Fifteen Vikings defenders have played more snaps, and nine have at least three times as many.
But don't you dare tell coach Mike Zimmer that Hodges' role is insignificant.