Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph has played just 17 games over the last two seasons due to injuries. He's hoping his luck will change this season.
Entering his fifth season, Rudolph said his goal this offseason is to play in all 16 regular season games this year. That's only happened once during Rudolph's second year in the league in 2012. He's attempted to become more durable with an emphasis on stretching.
"I think this is the first time in my career I haven't felt like I've come back in April in the best shape," Rudolph said. "I'm in great shape. I can go out there and run, but at the same time, I'm not peaking in the middle of April or in June when we're out there running around in shorts. You look great running around but then halfway through the year you're on the decline."
Rudolph hopes the offseason change will allow him to peak during the season rather than Phase 2 of the NFL offseason schedule. He was expected to become a big weapon in offensive coordinator Norv Turner's offense last year, but Rudolph needed sports hernia surgery after Week 2. He missed seven games and never returned to form after the injury.
Fresh off a five-year contract extension worth $36.5 million during training camp last year, Rudolph had just 24 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns last year.
"We can say all we want right in April, but the only way I'm going to put this behind me is going out there in September and playing until January."
