Kyle Rudolph Injury: Vikings Tight End Out 4-6 Weeks

Any Vikings fan asking whether or not it could get any worse for the team after yesterday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys just got their answer: a resounding "yes".

Tight end Kyle Rudolph scored an amazing 31-yard touchdown against Dallas but was injured on the play and didn't return to the game. The injury isn't career- or season-ending but it will sideline Rudolph for a significant amount of time. According to multiple sources, Rudolph has a fractured bone in his foot. Jay Glazer said he received a text from Rudolph telling Glazer that he expects to miss 4-6 weeks:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just got a text from Kyle Rudolph. Broke his foot, he&#39;s out 4-6 weeks. Not Lis Franc but different kind of fracture</p>&mdash; Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) <a href="https://twitter.com/JayGlazer/statuses/397438212152377344">November 4, 2013</a></blockquote>

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Leslie Frazier was asked about Rudolph's injury during Monday's press conference but wouldn't offer a specific timetable for Rudolph's return.

With Rudolph out, Vikings fans should prepare themselves for a lot more of John Carlson. Hopefully Carlson will be able to embrace his expanded role and catch a few passes more than two yards downfield. Rhett Ellison is still questionable to play on Thursday with an injured ankle which means Chase Ford (best known for assisting Adrian Peterson's touchdown yesterday) could see more work in multiple tight end sets. Carlson played 47 snaps yesterday while Ford played only three.