The Minnesota Vikings defensive end did not play on Sunday and was not present at U.S. Bank Stadium due to what the team described as personal matter.
On Friday, the Minnesota Vikings revealed their final injury report for Week 3 and among those who would not be playing was defensive end Everson Griffen. The reasoning behind the Vikings sitting him out was due to Griffen dealing with a knee injury.
At least according to what it said on their injury report.
However, unlike the other players on Minnesota’s roster that sat out Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills, Griffen was not on the sidelines at U.S. Bank Stadium. Following the matchup, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer was asked about where exactly his defensive end was on Sunday.
"“He’s having a personal matter. I’m going to leave it at that.”"
Not much was really known or has been reported regarding any details related to the, “personal matter,” that Griffen was dealing with on Sunday.
But according to an anonymous source on Monday who sent a tip to The Viking Age, the defensive end’s absence from the stadium this week was due to an issue related to his current mental health.
No other information is known at this point, but if this is true, this is something that Griffen must take all the time necessary to deal with before returning to the field for the Vikings this season.
What their defensive end is possibly dealing with right now could have also had a tremendous impact on the uncharacteristic performance Minnesota had on Sunday in their loss to the Bills. Would anyone blame them?
For Griffen, the Vikings need to make sure he puts himself and his family first before the team if the reason behind his absence turns out to be true. Football needs to be put on the back-burner when dealing with mental health-related issues and this situation in Minnesota is no different.
Update: Minnesota’s KSTP has reported that Griffen verbally threatened to shoot someone on Saturday at the Vikings’ team hotel. According to a police report, Griffen was not arrested at the hotel.
KMSP’s Seth Kaplan has also reported that the Vikings defensive end is currently undergoing a mental health evaluation.
The Vikings have said they are aware of the situation according to a statement from general manager Rick Spielman on Monday.