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It’s not hard to understand the value tight end Josh Oliver brings to the Vikings. ADVERTISEMENT Just listen to the way people talk about him. “He’s an animal,” tight end T.J. Hockenson said. “Once he gets his hands on somebody, it’s kind of like, ‘Good luck.'” It was similar sentiment from offensive coordinator Wes Phillips. “He’s the best blocking tight end in the league, and that’s no disrespect to anybody else,” Phillips said. “We will take Josh over anybody in this league in the role that he’s in. It’s not only that he’s physically imposing as a 270-pound man. It’s the attitude that he plays with out there.” ADVERTISEMENT What are the Vikings losing now that Oliver has been ruled out with an ankle injury? His absence will be felt most when the Vikings try to run the ball against the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Though he has proved he can contribute in the passing game, Oliver has been a force in the running game since signing with the Vikings. There have been multiple times this season that Oliver had singlehandedly carved out space for running back Aaron Jones to go to work. That’s partially why Hockenson has played only about 50% of the offensive snaps since returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament a few weeks ago. Even if the Vikings are often telegraphing a run when Oliver is on the field, they don’t care because they feel that strongly about his ability as a blocker. “You see it every single week,” Phillips said. “He’s moving large men and putting them on the ground.” ADVERTISEMENT It’s safe to assume Oliver would suit up for the Vikings if he were able to do so. He’s been playing through a wrist injury for the past few weeks, for example, and has still been extremely effective at the point of attack. How tough is it to replace Oliver in a vacuum? “It’s a big challenge because of all the things he does on a snap in and snap out basis,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We will see some guys make some impacts on some different downs and distances than we have maybe seen up to this point.” ADVERTISEMENT The only other players on the injury report for the Vikings are tight end Nick Muse (hand) and edge rusher Gabe Murphy (knee). Both players were officially listed as questionable and being full participants in the walkthrough on Friday afternoon at TCO Performance Center. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .
Christopher Nolan's next film is based on 'The Odyssey'NBA players don’t like to get injured. Fans don’t like paying for tickets when star players are injured. But the franchise can sometimes benefit in the long term when the team on the court isn’t the most competitive in the short term. And so it is that the injury to Brooklyn Nets ’ star guard Cam Thomas has inadvertently helped the team sink in the standings while rising in the Tankathon standings. The Nets (11-18) are 3-8 without Thomas and have moved to No. 7 in the Tankathon standings where they are currently projected to get Texas freshman guard Tre Johnson in next summer’s NBA Draft. Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is the ultimate prize as the projected No. 1 pick, with Rutgers stars Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey projected as Nos. 2 and 3. Thomas is averaging 24.7 points per game, and the Nets -- who visit the Milwaukee Bucks Thursday night -- have struggled while he’s been out with a left hamstring strain since late last month. “It’ll be nice when we get Cam Thomas back just to have some ... a real half-court bucket, half-court scorer,” center Nic Claxton said, per the New York Post . “That’ll be good. We’re missing him right now a lot.” The Nets are just half a game behind the Philadelphia 76ers (11-17) in the Atlantic Division standings, but while the Sixers are hoping to challenge for an NBA championship with their “Big 3′′ of Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey, the Nets were expected “to get in the bag for Cooper Flagg.” “We don’t use some of those words [like ‘tanking’], so it’s go compete, go compete and let the chips fall where they may,” Nets GM Sean Marks told NJ.com in an exclusive interview last month. He added: “I think you navigate the season as it goes, and you don’t go into a season saying this is where we’re going to be, this is how it’s going to end. There’s a lot of unforeseen things.” He continued: “You’ve gotta give credit to these players, they’re playing with a chip on their shoulder, the coaches are doing a helluva job, so that’s exciting to see. It’s exciting to see an identity being formed and a culture being driven. So who am I to push back on that?” Since those comments, the Nets traded veteran point guard Dennis Schroder to the L.A. Lakers in exchange for guard De’Anthony Melton, guard Reece Beekman and three second-round draft picks. Nets’ forwards Cam Johnson, the team’s second-leading scorer at 19.1 points per game, and Dorian Finney-Smith (10.8 ppg, are both contenders to be traded before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Johnson is making $22.5 million this season and will earn $20.5 million next year. Finney-Smith makes almost $15. million this year and has a player option for nearly that much next season. The Nets have four first-round picks in the 2025 Draft and have been heavily scouting Flagg, Harper, Bailey and other top prospects. “This year specifically, with all the picks that we have, we have to be scouting a very wide range,” Marks said. “And that’s fine, that’s exciting, we’ve never had that opportunity before.” Of course, the more games Thomas misses, the more likely the Nets are to lose and the higher they will rise in the Tankathon ratings. They Nets are also about to be without forward Ziaire Williams (left knee sprain) for a ninth game. He’s averaging 8.6 points. “Cam’s doing great,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez told reporters, per the Post. “As well as Ziaire. They played five-on-five and did a great job. So we’ll see how they feel after. That’s part of the process that they’re in right now. It seems like they’re getting close.” Of course, it may be in the Nets’ long-term interest to keep them out a while longer. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @ AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com .STRICTLY Come Dancing star Graziano Di Prima has issued a heartfelt tribute to his wife as he rebuilds his life following his axing from the show. Graziano, 30, was sacked by the BBC earlier this year after he was alleged to have "hit and kicked" one of his former dance partners. Advertisement 5 Graziano Di Prima has paid an emotional tribute to his wife Giada Credit: Instagram @grazianodiprima 5 The axed Strictly dancer has called Giada his 'rock' Credit: Getty The Italian dancer, who joined Strictly in 2018, fled the UK amid the scandal and has only recently returned . Graziano has now paid an emotional tribute to his wife Giada on her birthday and thanked her for 'standing by his side'. Taking to Instagram, he shared a section of photographs of himself and professional dancer Giada, who he married in 2022. Graziano wrote: "Today is a special day because it’s the birthday of the most important woman in my life - my wife, Giada. Advertisement READ MORE ON STRICTLY STRICTLY HINT EastEnders star drops biggest hint yet that she’s signed up for Strictly 2025 UK RETURN Strictly's Graziano returns to UK for first time after being sacked by BBC "The strongest woman I know, the one who has changed my life and always stood by my side. "With you, I’ve learned so much, and I keep learning every day." He continued: "I want to dedicate these words to you, even though they’ll never be enough to express how much I love you and how extraordinary you are to me. "You are the best woman I know, my greatest support, my strength, and my love. I want to grow old with you and cherish every single day of my life with you" Advertisement Most read in Reality Exclusive Star Power Coleen and Wayne Rooney at centre of bidding war for reality show Exclusive Cameras Off This Morning's Cat Deeley and Alison Hammond party at boozy Christmas bash Strictly Snub Toyah Willcox reveals the TWO Strictly pros she refused to dance with ACTION HEROES First look at Holly Willoughby's new Netflix show Celebrity Bear Hunt Graziano signed off by thanking Giada for being his "rock". "I love you endlessly. Thank you for being who you are, for changing my life, and for being my rock. Happy birthday, my love." he added. Axed Strictly star Graziano Di Prima vows to dance on after Zara McDermott scandal as he's backed by show pro In July 2022, Graziano and Giada tied the knot in a traditional Roman Catholic ceremony in Sicily. The couple had previously been forced to cancel their wedding plans twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement Earlier this month, Graziano was spotted in London with Giada as they headed to a dance class together. Giada held onto her smiling husband's arm as they made their way inside. This was the first time in months that Graziano has been pictured in the UK. Graziano had previously fled to Italy after it was alleged he had "repeatedly hit and kicked" his 2023 celeb partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott. Advertisement Video footage, which was filmed during the rehearsal process, reportedly reduced production staff "to tears" and Graziano was sacked hours after BBC bosses watched the clips. Graziano Di Prima - Strictly statement in FULL GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below. In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: "I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. "Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it's best for the show that I step away." He continued: "While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can't discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. "I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future." He concluded the post: "I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story." Last month, however, Graziano teased a return to the limelight. Professing his love for dance, he wrote on Instagram: "Dance has always been the centre of my life, my greatest passion, the path I chose and dedicated years of study, sacrifice, and love to. "After a period of reflection, I feel stronger than ever and eager to return to what I love most: dancing." Advertisement Graziano continued: "The future is a whole world of new open windows, ready to welcome new dreams and new challenges, and I'm excited to continue this journey with even more determination and inspiration." He added: "A heartfelt thank you to everyone who is always there for me. I'm thrilled to dance again with the same enthusiasm and dedication as always. "See you soon, whether on stage or through new projects that I will be very excited to share with you." Earlier this week, Graziano held a dance class for 100 people alongside Giada and fellow Italian professional Pasquale La Rocca. Advertisement Read more on the Scottish Sun SCOT MY FIRST RODEO! Popular music festival coming to three Scots cities for first time CHILL OUT Scots to be gripped by grim -10C freeze as weather map reveals temperature plunge Pasquale has won Dancing With The Stars - the American version of Strictly - five times. Sharing a video of the event on Instagram, Graziano said he will see fans soon "for more exciting new projects together". 5 Graziano joined Strictly as a professional in 2018 Credit: Getty 5 He was accused of 'kicking and hitting' his celeb partner Zara McDermott Credit: Guy Levy/BBC Advertisement 5 Graziano has just returned to the UK after fleeing to Italy amid the scandal Credit: Splash