Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Christian Ballard has left the team for personal reasons, according to ESPN.com.
Christian Ballard leaves Vikings for ‘personal’ reasons
Ballard has left Minnesota’s practices to take care of some pressing issues away from the field.
Hannah Foslien
Ballard has been trying to make the roster as one of the rotational players along the defensive line for head coach Leslie Frazier, but that now appears to be in obvious jeopardy. Ballard, 23, last suited up for the Vikings on Aug. 9 when he played against the Houston Texans, recording a sack.
Without Ballard in practice, Fred Evans has a better chance to make the roster as someone who can play a handful of snaps every Sunday. Frazier isn't thrilled with this development from a football view, since he had such hopes for Ballard, per the piece:
“[Ballard] is one of those guys we were counting on to be a part in our rotation,” Frazier said. “He did a very good job for us a season ago, we’re hoping he would help us this year as well.”
Frazier also stated he gave consent for Ballard to leave the team, going on to say he has no timetable for when and if Ballard will return to the team.
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