Vikings coach Mike Zimmer revealed a sliver of good news this morning when he announced that the team isn't considering putting tight end Kyle Rudolph on injured reserve with the designation to return in eight weeks.
"We're hopeful that he'll be back soon," Zimmer said. "We're anticipating it's not going to be [eight weeks]."
Rudloph had surgery Tuesday to repair his sports hernia. Meanwhile, Zimmer also revealed that right guard Brandon Fusco tore his pectoral muscle and will have surgery on Thursday. Fusco and quarterback Matt Cassel (broken foot) both were placed on season-ending injured reserve this morning.
So, to recap, heading into Week 4, Zimmer suddenly finds himself without Adrian Peterson (commissioner's exempt list), Jerome Simpson (released), Cassel, Fusco and Rudolph.
"I never envisioned that," Zimmer said. "But it's part of football. Last year in Cincinnati, we lost our best defensive tackle, our best corner, one of our best linebackers, our very good defensive end. Things happen in the NFL, so this is a survival-of-the-fittest game.
"It's always a marathon. The toughest teams always go. I think we have good coaches here, so we'll continue to coach the guys that are playing as hard as we can and keep moving."
Meanwhile, a tremendous amount of pressure has landed on rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's shoulders. Bridgewater said he doesn't feel that pressure. And Zimmer doesn't think it will matter either way because he has faith in the guy the team picked 32nd overall in May.
"I don't think he's thinking, `Woe is me,'" Zimmer said. "I think he's thinking about his opportunity and what he has to do to help this football team.
"He's ready. Honestly, I think he's been ready since the day he walked in. So, I'm good. "
