Vikings tight end John Carlson has sprained his right knee and will be sidelined for up to two weeks, coach Leslie Frazier confirmed on Wedneday.
“It confirmed what the doctors initially thought, a sprained MCL, so it is going to be a week or two before we get him back out there,” Frazier said.
Frazier said that time frame for a return will be up to Carlson’s pain tolerance, adding the MCL was not torn.
Carlson, who missed all of last season with a torn labrum, was injured when he was blocking and another player fell on the back of his leg. Carlson cannot afford to miss the time learning it and getting back in football shape, but Frazier said he’s a pro and will be up to speed when he returns.
Carlson was signed in the offseason to bring a veteran presence to a tight end unit that lost longtime TEs Jimmy Kleinsasser to retirement and Visanthe Shiancoe to free agency.
“There are a lot of reasons you like to have him out there,” Frazier said. “His veteran presence and the fact that he has been successful in this league sets an example for a lot of the younger guys we have playing the position. You lose that veteran presence.”
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