The wait was worth it for Vikings rookie cornerback Trae Waynes despite a painful ending to the biggest game of his nascent career.
Waynes was thrust into pivotal pass defense during the second half of Sunday's 10-9 wild-card playoff loss to Seattle after veteran corner Terence Newman injured an ankle.
In the Seahawks' first series of the third quarter, quarterback Russell Wilson promptly targeted Waynes, who played sparingly since being drafted 11th overall in April out of Michigan State.
Wilson aired out a deep shot to Tyler Lockett, but Waynes broke up the pass. Five plays later, Waynes intercepted Wilson at the Vikings' 22-yard line, a turnover that led to Blair Walsh's second field goal and a 6-0 Minnesota lead.