EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Minnesota Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel will miss the season with broken bones in his left foot, and right guard Brandon Fusco will also be out for the rest of the year due to a pectoral muscle injury.
The Vikings placed Cassel and Fusco on injured reserve Wednesday. Both players were hurt Sunday at New Orleans.
Teams have the option of placing one player on injured reserve with the intent to bring him back to the active roster after six weeks, but they saved that designation for now. Cassel was replaced by rookie Teddy Bridgewater, and Christian Ponder will be the backup moving forward. Vladimir Ducasse filled in for Fusco.
Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and tight end Ryan Otten were signed to the practice squad. Tight end Chase Ford and offensive lineman Austin Wentworth were elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.
Ford will help fill the void left by tight end Kyle Rudolph, who aggravated a midsection injury against the Saints and was scheduled for sports hernia surgery Tuesday that could keep him out for six weeks. Linebacker Chad Greenway also played in New Orleans with a broken left hand and aggravated a rib injury during the game. His status for this Sunday against Atlanta is uncertain, meaning the Vikings could be without five starters from their lineup in the season opener. Running back Adrian Peterson remains on paid leave while a child abuse charge against him in Texas is pending.
Cassel was re-signed to be the bridge to Bridgewater, and now the first-round draft pick from Louisville has had his development accelerated. The 32-year-old Cassel completed 41 of 71 passes for three touchdowns and four interceptions and 425 yards in three games.
