The injury woes along the Vikings offensive line continue to pile up, as left guard Brandon Fusco is now the latest victim. According to reports yesterday, Fusco sat out of Wednesday's practice due to concussion symptoms. As is the case with concussions, sometimes symptoms don't show up until days later. Fusco had been practicing earlier in the week.
Newly acquired offensive lineman Jeremiah Sirles, who has experience at every position along the offensive line, slotted in as the starting left guard in practice yesterday. If Fusco is unable to go this Sunday against the Chargers, it will likely be Sirles who will get his first start as a member of the Vikings, and against his former team no less.
This latest blow leaves only Matt Kalil as the last man standing from last year's starters. With injuries to John Sullivan, Phil Loadholt and the loss of Charlie Johnson to free agency, and now the loss of Brandon Fusco we're looking at a completely different offensive line here in week 3 than what we had during almost all of last year (and that even includes the rash of injuries we dealt with on the offensive line last year too). We hope Brandon has a quick recovery from his injury and that no long term health issues result from this latest setback.