EDEN PRAIRIE, MN - MAY 3: Helmets belonging to the Minnesota Vikings are seen during a rookie minicamp on May 3, 2012 at Winter Park in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)The Minnesota Vikings are expected to compete for a Super Bowl this season. Unfortunately for the club, it suffered a big blow today.
Starting guard Nick Easton will miss the entire 2018 season. He had surgery to repair a neck injury this morning.
According to Adam Schefter, that will cost him the full year.
Vikings’ G Nick Easton underwent surgery this morning to correct a herniated disc in his neck and his season is likely over, per his agent Joe Linta. But it is not expected to be a career-ending injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2018
Injuries have plagued Nick Easton during his time as a Minnesota Viking.
Last season, he took over as the team’s starting left guard, after being acquire from the San Francisco 49ers. He made 12 starts, but a fractured ankle cost him the final few weeks of the season, and the Vikings’ playoff run.
Minnesota wound up falling one game short of playing in the Super Bowl in its home stadium, losing to the eventual champion Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game.
This Easton news adds to serious offensive line woes for the franchise.
Center Pat Efflien and right guard Mike Remmers have also missed time at training camp due to injuries. The team will likely need to bring someone else in.
Earlier this week, Richie Incognito claimed that he had been contacted by the franchise, which head coach Mike Zimmer has refuted. Incognito is attempting a comeback after retiring due to health problems after last season, but it doesn’t sound like there’s a huge market for his services, especially after he was put in an involuntary psychiatric hold following a blow-up at a gym in the spring.
