As if millions of Vikings fans suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened.

Joe Oberle of CBS Sports (among others) reported yesterday that Minnesota Vikings' offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz was sent back to Minneapolis to have tests done for an abdominal injury he suffered during practice. Well, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, things aren't looking quite so good for Schwartz at this point.

I'm told OL Geoff Schwartz has a sports hernia injury

— Pioneer Press (@VikingsNow) August 4, 2012

Not sure yet on Schwartz's timetable for return. If he needs surgery, could take 4-6 weeks

— Pioneer Press (@VikingsNow) August 4, 2012

Well, that's not good at all.

The battle for the starting right guard spot between Schwartz. . .who missed all of 2011 with a hip injury. . .and second-year man Brandon Fusco was shaping up to be one of the more intriguing ones of camp. With Schwartz sidelined, however, it looks like we can put Fusco's name into that spot in pen rather than in pencil.