Teddy Bridgewater’s on-field bodyguards are down another man for at least the first half of the season as the team announced that starting center John Sullivan underwent a procedure on his back and was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
Sullivan, who hasn’t practiced in more than three weeks because of back spasms, underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy on Wednesday and was placed on IR with a designation to return. Per NFL rules, he’s not allowed to play until after Week 8.
Zimmer: "I've got no concern at all [about the offensive line]…they'll do a good job." #Vikings
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) September 10, 2015
Veteran lineman Joe Berger will start in place of Sullivan. Berger started the final two preseason games while Sullivan was out.
The statement released by the Vikings:
Sullivan underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy on Wednesday. Teams are able to place one player per season on IR/designated for return. Players placed on IR/designated for return are eligible to return to practice after 6 weeks and to games after 8 weeks. Sullivan does not count on the Vikings 53-man roster. The current roster stands at 52 players.
Major offensive line concerns
This Sully news is the worst. AP can't get impatient in run game and expect 3 step. Game changing loss. #Vikings
— Ben Leber (@nacholeber) September 10, 2015
The injury to Sullivan is the second severe injury Minnesota’s offensive line has suffered. Right tackle Phil Loadholt is out for the season with a torn achilles.
Even before Sullivan went down, Chip Scoggins was writing in the Star Tribune about his worries about the offensive line.
- LT: Matt Kalil – entering a “make-or-break” year
- LG: Brandon Fusco – switched positions from right guard
- C: Joe Berger – he’s a backup
- RG: Mike Harris – a converted tackle
- RT: T.J. Clemmings – rookie from Pittsburgh
Sullivan can begin practicing with the team following Week 6, but Darren Wolfson speculates that Sullivan simply returning by Week 9 is a bit “aggressive.”
Joe Berger has up to $400K in playing time bonuses. So he has to be happy. Word on Sullivan: Week 9 return is a bit aggressive. #vikings
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) September 10, 2015
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