The Minnesota Vikings have been missing a number of starters through the beginning portions of their offseason program, but it sounds like they’re getting healthier as mandatory minicamp approaches later this month.
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer told reporters Thursday that linebacker Anthony Barr, defensive end Brian Robison and offensive tackle Phil Loadholt will all be back for some of mandatory minicamp, which runs June 16-18.
According to ESPN, Zimmer has not disclosed Barr’s injury, but indicated the linebacker did not re-injure the knee he had surgically repaired at the end of last season.
FOX Sports North reports that it’s a separate and minor knee injury. Zimmer indicated that Barr is on the mend.
Anthony Barr has "another injury," separate from his surgically repaired knee, per Mike Zimmer. Still being held out.
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) June 11, 2015
“He’s over the hump now, so I anticipate him getting some next week, I don’t know how much,” Zimmer told reporters.
The Vikings selected Barr with the ninth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in 12 games as a rookie before injuring his knee and undergoing surgery in December.
But USA Today’s Tom Pelissero suggests the decision to sit Barr out is precautionary.
#Vikings LB Anthony Barr is sitting out OTAs again this week, but word is his knee issue is nothing scary. No reason to push him in June.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 10, 2015
He isn’t the only pass rusher the Vikings have been without through OTAs. Defensive end Brian Robison has been out with a pectoral injury that he suffered last month during a workout. Robison has insisted that he’s fine, but Zimmer said the Vikings will remain cautious.
“We’re going to be careful with him,” Zimmer said. “We may give him some of the individual work and some of the situation stuff, but we’re going to be careful with him. Same with Loadholt.”
Loadholt is also coming back from a torn pectoral muscle he sustained at the end of last season.
