We have heard a lot about Adrian Peterson’s bruised thigh at Vikings training camp, but for the most part the Vikings had been relatively healthy during training camp and the first part of the preseason.
However, it appears the injuries are now starting to mount up. Wednesday afternoon Vikings coach Mike Zimmer addressed a few of them.
One of the biggest surprises in the preseason has been safety Antone Exum. He had a very strong camp and made a few big plays in preseason games – recovering a fumble in the Hall of Fame game and intercepting a Jameis Winston pass against Tampa Bay.
But now the second-year safety is dealing with a hamstring injury and has been out of practice most of the week.
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Zimmer also announced that defensive tackle Shamar Stephen had a procedure on his knee. The good news on Stephen is that it wasn’t a season-ending injury.
Zimmer said he hopes to have Stephen back for the season opener against San Francisco.
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Stephen, who backed up at both defensive tackle positions last season as a rookie, entered training camp on the non-football injury list with a left knee injury.
He led all Vikings defenders with five tackles, including a sack on a third-and-3 play. According to 1500 ESPN, defensive tackles Chigbo Anunoby, B.J. Dubose and Greg Hickman could get extended looks in the preseason with Stephen out.
Zimmer was less sure when offensive tackle and Eden Prairie native Carter Bykowski would return.
Carter Bykowski had surgery, too. Hurt his shoulder last Saturday.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) August 19, 2015
“I don’t know yet,” said Zimmer when he was asked if Bykowski was out for the year.
According to 1500 ESPN, Bykowski underwent season ending surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.
The injury is the second season-ending injury at offensive tackle this season. Right tackle Phil Loadholt was placed on injured reserve this week due to a torn Achilles.
The Vikings signed offensive lineman Stephen Goodin earlier this week to provide some depth upfront.
