Jasper Brinkley Apparently Still Dealing With Hip Injury

With the lack of signings at the position this off-season, it appears that the Minnesota Vikings are all set to go with fourth-year man Jasper Brinkley at the middle linebacker position for the 2012 season. Brinkley started the final six games of the 2009 season as a rookie (four regular season games and both playoff games), and acquitted himself fairly well.

Unfortunately, he missed the entire 2011 season with an injured hip and, according to 1500 ESPN, he is still dealing with the injury.

Apparently, there are still some issues with Jasper Brinkley's surgically repaired hip.

Brinkley, who is expected to replace E.J. Henderson as the Minnesota Vikings' starting middle linebacker this season, did not take part in the opening day of the team's three-day mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

Afterward, he said the hip he had repaired in August -- not the groin he tweaked during an organized team activity practice earlier this month -- was the reason he was held out.

Brinkley was quoted as saying that "it's a process" with the hip, but with his name penciled into a starting spot and about a month and a half to go before training camp starts, hopefully that "process" is nearing its end. At this point of the year, however, I'm guessing. . .or just hoping. . .that the Vikings were simply being cautious with Brinkley.