Coach Leslie Frazier said the Vikings "do want [Kyle Rudolph] included in our pass game." According to Frazier, the Vikings had some Week 9 plays designed to get the ball to Rudolph, but "they didn't materialize." He ended up with no catches on two targets -- the second time in the last three games he's been held without a catch. "We want him involved. We have to figure out a way to get him involved," Frazier said. Rudolph will just be a TE2 against the Lions in Week 10.

Kyle Rudolph was held without a catch on two targets at Seattle in Week 9. Blame Christian Ponder and a stout Seahawks pass defense. Beat writers recently speculated that Ponder had grown skittish of throwing to Rudolph in traffic, and that certainly appeared to be the case on Sunday. With Ponder scuffling and Rudolph held under 25 yards in five of the past six weeks, the Vikings tight end can't be trusted versus the Lions in Week 10.

Beat writer Tom Pelissero says Christian Ponder "seems increasingly skittish" about throwing to a covered Kyle Rudolph. Rudolph has totaled just two catches for 17 yards in the last two weeks. His biggest asset is his catch radius and size, not his ability to separate. So when teams use a safety on Rudolph, Ponder has to be willing to give his tight end a chance. Even though Rudolph is playing nearly every down and splitting out as a receiver for a third of those snaps, he'll be a risky TE1 against the Seahawks in Week 9.

Kyle Rudolph hauled in just two passes for 17 yards in Week 8 against the Bucs. Rudolph caught both passes thrown his way. After his hot start, the second-year tight end has slowed in the past two weeks. Rudolph was held without a catch in Week 7, but Christian Ponder completed just eight passes. He should be fine moving forward, but it won't be any easier against the Seahawks in Week 9. Rudolph and the Vikings need Ponder to start heating back up.

Kyle Rudolph played on 49-of-52 snaps in Sunday's win over the Cardinals, but still caught zero passes. Rudolph never really had a chance as Christian Ponder was wild. One errant target was picked off, two more were uncatchable and Adrian Wilson batted away a fourth. Rudolph's playing time isn't an issue, but he reliance on touchdowns is a concern. He's averaging just 3.57 catches per game on the season.

Kyle Rudolph played on all 84 of the Vikings' offensive snaps in Week 6.

Kyle Rudolph caught four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in Week 5 against the Titans. The Titans have been absolutely destroyed by opposing tight ends in 2012, and Rudolph continued the onslaught. He saw seven targets, and the touchdown pass came from 15 yards out where Rudolph scaled over the top of two defenders in the end zone to come down with his fourth score of the season. The Vikings go to Washington to take on the Redskins' last-ranked passing defense in Week 6.

The Vikings have reportedly had internal discussions about giving rookie TE Rhett Ellison more time inline to detach Kyle Rudolph for increased pass-catching opportunities. It's entirely hypothetical to this point, but there is room for Rudolph's passing-game role to increase. Of his 254 snaps, Rudolph has played 165 inline (65.0%), compared to 62 detached from formation (24.4%) and 27 in the backfield (10.6%). He has twice gone the entire first half without a target as the Vikes work to establish the ground attack. "But we know he's always a part of our passing attack each and every week," said TEs coach Jimmie Johnson. "It's just a matter of when those calls get dialed up."

Kyle Rudolph was held to eight yards on two receptions and five targets versus the Lions in Week 4. Suffering right along with the rest of the ineffectual passing game lacking in creativity, Rudolph didn't see a target until the third quarter. The Vikings were only in the red zone one time on the afternoon. Through four games, Rudolph is on pace for a 60/584/12 stat line. Keep him in fantasy lineups for next week's game against a Titans defense that has surrendered six touchdowns to tight ends so far (seven if you count James Casey, lining up as a tight end on his 11-yard score).

Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph (thigh) is active, as expected, for Week 4 versus the Lions. Rudolph practiced fully on Friday and has a tasty matchup against a defense that has surrendered 15 receptions, 220 yards and three scores to tight ends the past two weeks. Vikings inactives: LB Erin Henderson, WR Jarius Wright, WR Stephen Burton, S Andrew Sendejo, S Mistral Raymond, C Mark Asper and QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson.