Vikings place center John Sullivan on IR/designated for return list
The Minnesota Vikings have placed starting center John Sullivan on the Injured Reserve/Designated for Return list, the team announced Thursday.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Sullivan will be out until at least Week 9 after undergoing a lumbar microdiscectomy on Wednesday, a procedure typically performed for a herniated lumbar disc.
NFL teams are able to place one player per season on the IR/designated for return list, which allows players to return to practice after six weeks, and to games after eight weeks.
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Sullivan has started 93 games for the Vikings since being selected in the sixth round of the 2008 draft out of Notre Dame. He was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Pro team in 2012.
11-year veteran Joe Berger is currently listed as the starting center on Minnesota's depth chart.
The Vikings open the season at the San Francisco 49ers on Monday.
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