According to Tom Pelissero of ESPN, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jerome Simpson will not undergo surgery due to back issues that plagued him during the team’s Week 5 game against the Tennessee Titans. He was limited in just 24 snaps and was held without a catch after hauling in four passes for 50 yards in a solid game against the Detroit Lions a week before.
Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE
Simpson will try and rehab his back instead of going the surgery route, and the main cause for concern is that he is feeling numbness in his legs due to this back injury. He is unable to gain separation against defensive backs because his speed is gone, his lower legs are feeling weaker, and he cannot run as well. That’s definitely not good for a player who bases his game so much on his athletic ability.
If Simpson eventually does choose to go under the knife, then he will likely miss six weeks. The Vikings have seemingly always wanted to go the other route, so hopefully the rehab process works for Simpson and the Vikes can get their talented wideout back.
Both Hakeem Nicks and Martellus Bennett are not practicing today for the New York Giants, and Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News has tweeted that veteran defensive tackle Rocky Bernard is also not practicing and, even worse, that Andre Brown has not been medically cleared to practice after sustaining a concussion in Week 5 against Cleveland.
The San Francisco 49ers tough run defense awaits the Giants, so quick rookie David Wilson will be shouldering a heavier load next week and will likely be Ahmad Bradshaw’s primary backup. Let’s see if Brown is cleared this week and if he can play, but he was held to under three yards per carry after lighting up his old team in Week 3 (the Carolina Panthers) to the tune of 113 yards and two TDs on Thursday Night Football.
You can follow Joe Soriano on Twitter @SorianoJoe.