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Linval Joseph was one of the marquee free agent signings for the Minnesota Vikings this past off-season. He is a massive man, at around 320 pounds, and was brought in to shore up what has become a porous run defense.
That was almost all taken away in the blink of an eye a few weeks ago.
Hours after the Vikings first preseason game against Oakland, Joseph was one of multiple shooting victims at 400 SoundBar in downtown Minneapolis.
At the time of the shooting, Joseph's injury was described as minor, and was treated and released from the hospital within a few hours. Earlier today, though, he spoke with the press for the first time since the incident, and he revealed that it could've been so much more serious than it was.
#Vikings NT Linval Joseph:" I just thank God for it being a clean wound -- straight in, straight out. It’s behind me now. Glad I'm healthy."
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) August 26, 2014
For whatever reason, I just assumed that based on the downplaying of the injury at the time, that the bullet just grazed him. It would still be scary, no doubt, but with the bullet passing completely though his leg and doing no major damage, Joseph was very fortunate. A couple of millimeters in any direction, and it could've been season, career, or even life altering. But all indications are that Joseph is okay, and he will be ready to go week one:
Linval Joseph: "I ran yesterday. I feel good. I'll be ready for Week1."
— Mark Craig (@markcraignfl) August 26, 2014
Finally, Joseph also spoke about that night, and the other shooting victims, and wished them all well:
Linval Joseph: "I just look at every day differentl...Because your life flashes in front of you when certain situations like that happen."
— Brian Hall (@MNBrianHall) August 26, 2014
Joseph on 8/9 shooting: "For all the victims and anyone else involved who was seriously hurt, I wish them a speedy recovery." #Vikings
— Brian Murphy (@murphPPress) August 26, 2014
We're glad to hear Joseph has recovered, and we wish all victims of that shooting incident a quick and speedy recovery.