MINNEAPOLIS -- John Sullivan held his annual Halloween party at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital on Tuesday, a yearly tradition in a season that hasn't been routine for the center.
The 30-year-old is recovering from his second back surgery of the season following a setback while lifting weights last week. His chances of returning this season are "minimal," coach Mike Zimmer said on Monday. And while the Minnesota Vikings are off to a 4-2 start, a player who's missed just three games in his first seven seasons is about to begin his fourth month of rehab for an injury that figures to end his season and could possibly affect the duration of his career.