Former Badger earns first NFL snaps in unexpected opportunity

Joe Huber found his way into the Vikings game after injuries.
Minnesota Vikings v Tennessee Titans - NFL Preseason 2025
Minnesota Vikings v Tennessee Titans - NFL Preseason 2025 | Wesley Hitt/GettyImages

The Vikings are in a battle with the Pittsburgh Steelers, though you could probably say it's a battle against themselves as they are trying to overcome both injuries and turnovers. Former Badgers like Nick Herbig and TJ Watt are flying around making plays against the Vikings. However, those Minnesota injuries have provided an opportunity for former Badger Joe Huber to get his first NFL snaps.

Huber went from being undrafted to being a preseason standout to inactive mostly through this early NFL season. No one would predict that he would get his first NFL snaps in Ireland in just the fourth game of the season. Talk about an unlikely scenario.

Joe Huber found his way into the Ireland game for the Minnesota Vikings

Related: Double trouble: Pair of former Badgers wreck havoc in Steelers' big win

Huber was so impressive during the preseason that the Vikings didn't feel like they could shuffle him to the practice squad without another team swooping in and taking him. So they kept him on the active roster. This turned out to be good for Minnesota, as they needed him in just a few weeks into the season.

Huber has mostly been inactive in the opening games of the season for gameday, but due to injuries, he was active for this Ireland game. However, the Vikings were hoping that they wouldn't have to use him, as that would mean injuries forced him in.

Huber would get his chance, and while it seems to have been short-lived with Michael Jurgens getting back in the game, He's still the next man up.

The game itself is getting away from the Minnesota Vikings as they lead 21-6 going into the 4th quarter, and it looks as if Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers will walk away with the Dublin game, but mainly thanks to that Pittsburgh defense led by former Badgers TJ Watt and Nick Herbig.