Vikings guard Nick Easton done for the season after undergoing surgery to correct a herniated disc in his neck, agent Joe Linta tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Fortunately, it is not expected to be a career-ending injury. After Schefter’s report, the Vikings confirmed that Easton will head to IR.
Easton was retained this year via a one-year, $2.9MM restricted free agent tender. He was hoping to sign a long-term extension with the Vikings, but his malady will keep that from happening this year.
Easton, a Harvard product, has appeared in 23 games with 17 starts. Although he has seen time at center, left guard, and right guard, he was slated to be the team’s top LG in 2018. Easton didn’t fare all that well according to the advanced metrics, but the Vikings had enough confidence to put him in that starting role.
Without Easton, the Vikings may turn to Tom Compton, Danny Isidora, or sixth-round pick Colby Gossett to fill the void.
While I’m not a huge fan of Easton’s, this comes as a blow to the Vikings offensive line. They really need to either trade for a guard or hope that a serviceable veteran comes available. I fear that it’s going to be another shaky year for Minnesota’s offensive line.
They’re paying Cousins a king’s ransom. He’s not exactly mobile. And they have a pile of suck at LG, C and RG right now, and while both OTs had pretty good years in 2017, it’s entirely possible they revert to their norm (of below average play) in 2018.
Minnie is in big trouble on offense. Big trouble.
I know Richie Incognito is bad news but we’re in dire straits after this news.
Richie is still a beast at guard, but I’m not sure he’s worth the distraction no matter how desperate we are. He’s still a free agent for a reason.
Sadly, RI might end up getting a look after all.
Keep an eye on the roster status of Jon Toth C/G, UDFA 2017 currently with the Eagles. Always a possibility of being cut and/or made available for a low level draft pick.