National Football League

Vikings set to reinstate special teams coach Priefer on Monday

Published Sep. 14, 2014 8:44 p.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS -- Sunday's special teams gaffes from the Minnesota Vikings contributed to an all-phases letdown in a 30-7 loss at home to the New England Patriots.

Minnesota's special teams coordinator will have a chance to solve the issues this week, after the Vikings announced late Sunday that Mike Priefer would be reinstated after serving two weeks of a three-week suspension.

Priefer was suspended in July following an investigation into homophobic remarks he made in a special teams meeting. Team ownership suspended Priefer, but opened the possibility he could have his suspension reduced by one week if ownership felt he properly fulfilled his requirements in sensitivity training.

Priefer is eligible to return to the team on Monday.

"The decision by Vikings ownership follows extensive conversations with the independent professional consultants retained to conduct individualized anti-harassment, diversity and sexual orientation training with coach Priefer," the team said in a statement. "Those consultants have conveyed to the team that coach Priefer was fully and thoughtfully engaged throughout the process and successfully completed the program."

Priefer's return follows a disappointing effort on Sunday when Minnesota had a field goal blocked and returned for a touchdown. The Vikings had only nine players on the field for one punt return, which was downed by New England at the 4-yard line. Minnesota also allowed a 34-yard punt return by Julian Edelman.

Under Priefer, Minnesota's special teams units have been among the most consistent in the league. Veteran coach Joe Marciano was hired to fill-in during Priefer's absence and team with Priefer's assistant, Ryan Ficken.

"He's one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL, so there's definitely going to be a difference," kicker Blair Walsh said of Priefer's absence following the game. "But we had the right personnel here and our assistant coach did a good enough job to keep our game plans the same, and Joe's got enough credit to his name that he should do a good job as well. What happened today was not good. Not good for our unit, not good for us in general."

The Vikings were down 17-7 on Sunday but were prepared to entire halftime with a little momentum and possibly just a touchdown deficit when Walsh lined up for a 48-yard field goal. New England defensive end Chandler Jones went nearly untouched off the right side of Minnesota's line blocked the field goal, recovered the ball and raced for a 58-yard touchdown with 19 seconds left in first half.

"We needed that kick," Walsh said. "We have to do better as a unit there and we can't have that. We have enough room to do our kicks and do our job."

Lined up to Walsh's right, Jones came through the line, getting past Matt Kalil, who switches sides with Phil Loadholt for field-goal attempts. Walsh didn't see Jones before it was too late.

"When you kick your head is down and you're looking at the ball, so you don't really know what's going on in front of you," Walsh said. "But the moment my leg followed through and I pulled my head up, I saw him starting up with his hands on the ball."

Speaking hours before the team reinstated Priefer, Walsh didn't want to get into speculating on his coach's return.

"It's been such a whirlwind thing, ups and downs," Walsh said. "If he's back, great. We'll welcome him with open arms and we'll be excited to have him back running it. If not, we're going to have to step up and play better."

Follow Brian Hall on Twitter

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