Minnesota Vikings: John Sullivan likely out for season with second back surgery

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The Minnesota Vikings have found success this season without their starting center and it looks like the team will have to continue doing so. According to 1500ESPN, Vikings center John Sullivan will be out for the rest of the year after having to undergo a second back surgery.

Sullivan had been working to comeback from a back surgery right before the regular season, but had a mishap in the weight room that set him back. Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer said that this happened about 10 days ago to the team’s center.

The surgery will make Sullivan the second Vikings starting offensive lineman who will be out for the entire 2015 campaign. Phil Loadholt tore his Achilles in the preseason and is also out.

Sullivan’s injury has forced the Vikings to jumble the line a bit with Joe Berger shifting over to play center and making rookie T.J. Clemmings start at right tackle for the Vikings.

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The Vikings will have to make a decision on Sullivan, though. Sullivan was eligible to return to practice last week and his injured reserve to return status will expire in two weeks after the game with the St. Louis Rams. The Vikings will then have either activate Sullivan or place him on the season-ending injury reserved list.

This offseason the Vikings signed Sullivan to an extension that puts the 30-year-old under team control through the 2017 season.

Minnesota is next set to take on the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Chicago. The Vikings will try to win in Chicago for the first time since 2007.

Next: Vikings down the Lions!

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