Minnesota Vikings looking into string of pectoral injuries

The Minnesota Vikings have dealt with several injuries to the shoulders of players recently. In fact, it’s gotten to be so frequent that the team is looking into the reason why this is happening.

Aug 29, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback

Josh Robinson

(21) rests between drills before the game with the Tennessee Titans at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 24-23. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Without even starting the 2016 NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings already have one player dealing with an injury to his pectoral muscle. It was announced today that cornerback Josh Robinson would be played on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list until he can get healthy. But Robinson’s injury is just the most recent incident.

Last season was a bit of a plague for torn pectoral muscles among starters for the team. Two offensive lineman (guard Brandon Fusco and offensive tackle Phil Loadholt) and one defensive end (Brian Robison) all struggled with injuries to their pectoral muscles, with both Fusco and Loadholt being placed on season ending injured reserve.

Head coach Mike Zimmer spoke after the team’s first walkthrough at training camp about these injuries according to an article on the ESPN website:

"“Always when you get more than one type of injury, especially pectoral, it’s more of an unusual injury, we have to figure it out.”"

No major changes have been made to the Minnesota Vikings strength and conditioning programs, but they have added a strength coach to help observe how players are working out and ensure that all exercises are being done properly. Another part of the strength coach’s duties is to inform players of what they should be looking at while spotting teammates in the weight room.

Mike Zimmer continued on the topic of trying to watch for practices which could increase the likelihood of pectoral injuries.

"“We’ve had our strength coach research, our trainer research, we sat down and talked about all the different things, what causes pectoral injuries, what we can do to prevent them, what we can do to help. We’ve monitored a lot of things and a lot of people have told us it’s freak luck. Sometimes when we’re bench pressing, if a guy bounces, bounces off his chest, that’s where they get the tears. Sometimes we’re going to work on strengthening rotator cuffs much more than we have, we’re going to warm up better than what we have, so we’ve addressed that.”"

Hopefully, the extra attention that the Minnesota Vikings are paying to pectoral injuries will result in fewer players missing time or losing effectiveness for the team. One thing that is for certain is that the team will have to remain healthy in order to compete for the NFC North crown during the 2016 NFL season.

Next: Minnesota Vikings 2015 Game By Game Previews

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