Minnesota Vikings long snapper Kevin McDermott suffered a separated shoulder during the team’s Week 16 win over the Green Bay Packers.
It may not have been the most notable player injury the Minnesota Vikings endured in Week 16 considering guard Nick Easton broke his ankle, but the shoulder injury suffered by Vikings long snapper Kevin McDermott could be the most impactful on the rest of the team’s season.
During the second quarter of Minnesota’s win over the Green Bay Packers last Saturday, McDermott suffered a dislocated left shoulder. He will reportedly miss the Vikings’ upcoming Week 17 matchup with the Chicago Bears, but McDermott has said he hopes to return to the field for the playoffs.
So who will takeover McDermott’s long-snapping duties next Sunday against the Bears?
It could end up being Minnesota tight end David Morgan since he was the guy who filled in as the team’s long snapper against Green Bay after McDermott injured his shoulder. Morgan did a decent job, but it was clear that snapping the ball was not the tight end’s best attribute.
Minnesota Vikings
On Tuesday, the Vikings announced the signing of long snapper Jeff Overbaugh. During his college football days at San Diego State, Overbaugh never had a bad snap of the 409 he lined up for and he was given the honor of top specialist at the 2016 Senior Bowl.
So at least for Minnesota’s Week 17 game, it seems likely that Overbaugh will start as the team’s long snapper and Morgan will return to his previous duties as the backup. It really should not be too much of a problem next Sunday as the matchup with the Bears will be played indoors at at the climate-controlled U.S. Bank Stadium.
McDermott says he wants to return to the Vikings in time for the playoffs, but that really just depends on the severity of his injury. Since he suffered a dislocation of his shoulder and not a separation, his recovery time could range anywhere from three to 12 weeks.
Until then, Minnesota will just have to move on without him and hope that his absence does not create any unwanted problems in the kicking game.
Next: Vikings' top 5 plays from Week 16 win
At least it’s not like the Vikings have ever had any kicking-related problems in the franchise’s past.