Mistral Raymond Did Not Fracture His Ankle, Will Still Miss Some Time

Sep 23, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Mistral Raymond (41) is helped off the field during the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at the Metrodome. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-US PRESSWIRE

Initial reports on Mistral Raymond’s ankle injury were pretty dire. Words like “gruesome” were thrown around in describing the way Raymond’s ankle gave while making a tackle on Frank Gore Sunday. Raymond certainly seemed to be in a lot of pain afterward and had to be carted off with an inflatable cast on his leg. The assumption was that the ankle was broken and Raymond would be out for the year.

But that’s why you don’t assume. On Monday the news was actually better than expected. Raymond did not fracture his ankle, and did not suffer a dreaded high ankle sprain. He did suffer a bone bruise which sounds pretty nasty. He’s not going to be playing any time soon but the good news is the Vikings don’t expect to put him on IR.

With Raymond out, Jamarca Sanford comes in. He got exposed in coverage against Vernon Davis on one of San Francisco’s few big plays but you really can’t slam him for not being able to cover a guy who is basically a beast. We know what Sanford’s limitations are anyway. He’s a decent run support safety and an absolutely hideous cover guy. There’s a reason he was 3 on the depth chart. Now he’ll start. We wait on Robert Blanton who is yet to be active for a single game this year.

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