Vikings still unsure with Simpson's injury

The Vikings don’t think they will lose Jerome Simpson long-term, but his condition is undetermined.

The Vikings weren’t sure yet on Monday what exactly was wrong with Jerome Simpson’s left leg, but they were sending him for more tests.

Simpson woke up Sunday morning concerned about his leg, and head coach Leslie Frazier was apprised of the injury when he reached Mall of America Field before Sunday’s 30-7 win over the Tennessee Titans.

“We didn't know anything was wrong until the morning of the game,” Frazier said. “… It wasn't the conversation I expected to have on the day of the game. We had a big package for Jerome in this game. We felt there were some things where we could utilize his ability to make some plays for us.”

The Vikings worked out Simpson before the game and decided to make him active. He started but played in only 35 percent of the snaps.

Frazier said Simpson hasn’t had this injury before and described it as weakness around the ankle area that is believed to be tied to his back.

Simpson voiced his concern and uncertainty after the game.

“Just being injured, my level of concern is always high. I’m pretty sure I’ll get through this and just keep the faith and just do what the doctors say,” Simpson said.

Nine players caught passes for the Vikings on Sunday, but the deep threat that signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the team in March wasn’t one of them.

“It was a quandary for him and for all of us. Our doctors took a look at him, after we worked him out, and they didn't feel like he was going to be in jeopardy if he played,” Frazier said. “We had five receivers dressed. Ordinarily we've been dressing four receivers, and we've been doing that for Michael Jenkins and his injuries during the course of the week.”

Frazier added: “From everything I've been told we shouldn't be afraid to the point we're going to lose him for a long period of time. But everything's not conclusive as we speak.”

Simpson spent the first three games of the season on the reserve/suspended list for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

His first action came Sept. 30 at Detroit when he had four catches for 50 yards, including a 27-yarder.

Frazier said there was some numbness in Simpson’s lower left leg.

“(It) was fine when he was walking, but just had a little trouble pushing off on it. We were hoping as time went on he would regain that feeling during the course of the game. In talking to the doctors they felt like that was possible. And it did get a little bit better but not to the point where he felt completely comfortable,” Frazier said.

“As you can imagine, it scared him, had him alarmed.”

---

Tim Yotter is the publisher of Viking Update. Follow Viking Update on Twitter and discuss this topic on our message boards. To become a subscriber to the Viking Update web site or magazine, click here.

---