Griffen got the start at defensive end opposite Danielle Hunter and had two sacks, three QB hits and four tackles in Sunday's win over Detroit. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer had said Griffen would come off the bench, but he elevated to him as a starter over D.J. Wonnum due to his recent play, the Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Griffen played on a season-high 49 of the defense's 68 snaps. He had before been thought of as a situation pass rusher, but he's getting playing time on all downs. Still, he may share the role with Wonnum (who had 40 snaps) to keep both fresh.