Vikings Place Matt Cassel, Brandon Fusco On Injured Reserve
By Dan Zinski
The Vikings on Tuesday announced a bunch of roster moves, some expected, some rather surprising.
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Among the anticipated moves, the Vikings say they have placed QB Matt Cassel on injured reserve. Cassel suffered multiple fractures in his foot Sunday against the Saints and a trip to IR seemed inevitable.
Somewhat surprisingly, and alarmingly given the state of the offensive line, the Vikings also have placed RG Brandon Fusco on IR with an injured shoulder.
Cassel and Fusco are both done for the season, as neither was designated to-return.
The loss of Fusco negatively impacted the Vikings in Sunday’s game far more than the loss of Cassel, and is much more concerning in the long-term. With Fusco out the Vikings will go to either Vladimir Ducasse or Joe Berger at right guard.
Rookie David Yankey is envisioned as a left guard so even if he were ready to play it seems unlikely that they would slide him in on the right side as Fusco’s replacement.
Corresponding moves galore come with these two IR trips. The Vikings have elevated TE Chase Ford and OT Austin Wentworth from the practice squad. The two empty spots on the practice squad will be filled by QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson and TE Ryan Otten.
The Season of Suck grows even suckier.