Longtime Vikings center John Sullivan has been placed on injured-reserve/designated for return after undergoing back surgery.
After sitting out for three weeks, Sullivan underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy Wednesday. His absence for at least half the season is another blow to a Vikings offensive line that also lost tackle Phil Loadholt to a torn Achilles tendon early in the preseason.
Teams can place one player per season on IR/designated for return. Those players can return to practice in six weeks and to games after eight weeks.
An eight-year veteran, Sullivan is making $7 million this season after signing an extension with the team last April. Giving him the IR/return designation opens up a roster spot the Vikings can fill before their Monday night season opener at San Francisco.
Veteran Joe Berger, who’s been with the Vikings since 2009, will likely replace Sullivan in the starting lineup.