Aug 27, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings safety Husain Abdullah (39) walks the sidelines in the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Metrodome. The Cowboys win 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE

We won’t be seeing Husain Abdullah in the NFL in 2012. The free agent safety, who rose from UDFA status to become a reliable player with the Vikings, has elected to take the year off to fulfill his obligations as a Muslim, including attending the Haj in Mecca in October. Abdullah’s brother Hamza has also decided to put his NFL career on hold in the name of his Islamic faith.

For Husain there might be more behind this decision than simply his faith. Last year he suffered a season-ending concussion, the second major concussion event of his career, and after the season he reportedly went back-and-forth on whether to continue in the NFL and face further brain injury.  The Vikings were willing to welcome him back if he did elect to go on playing, but obviously Abdullah has other things on his mind besides football. He may decide to resume his career in the future, but after two concussions and a whole year off? Who knows if we’ll ever see him on the field again.

Had Abdullah returned to Minnesota, he would’ve been thrown into the mix for starting safety along with rookies Harrison Smith and Robert Blanton, 2011 sometime-starter Jamarca Sanford and 2011 draft pick Mistral Raymond. Now, with Abdullah off the table, the Vikings may turn to former Colts safety Melvin Bullitt as an extra option in the defensive backfield. The Vikings have reportedly shown interest in Bullitt, who played for new defensive coordinator Alan Williams in Indianapolis.

To Husain and Hamza Abdullah, have a safe pilgrimage.

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Bullitt fits some of the necessary criteria for a young, rebuilding team looking to fill holes like the Vikings. He is only 27 and heading into the prime of his career. He knows the Vikings’ Tampa 2 defense well having played in it with the Colts for his entire five-year career. Bullitt’s history with the Colts could be even more significant for the Vikings whose head coach, Leslie Frazier, is the Colts former defensive coordinator, and new Vikings’ defensive coordinator, Alan Williams, was the Colts’ defensive backs coach for 10 years. And let’s not forget, the secondary is one of the greatest areas of need for the Vikings.

October 3, 2010; Jacksonville FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Melvin Bullitt (33) during pre game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Bullitt, however, does have one glaring area of concern, he has lost a majority of the past two seasons to right shoulder injuries. Bullitt was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Colts in 2007. He only played in a few games in his rookie year but was a starter by his second season in the league. Bullitt is not known as a great playmaker (he only has seven interceptions in his career), but he is a solid tackler with experience in the cover 2.

The injury risk is certainly there, and it may be enough to keep the Vikings away. But with Bullitt’s injury risk comes a cheap price and more than likely a willingness to sign a short-term deal—the perfect scenario for a team in rebuilding mode.

As long as his shoulder checks out, look for the Vikings to be making calls for Bullitt’s services.

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