Tweaks and bruises sound tolerable to Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, so long as he doesn’t lose an offensive lineman to a long-term injury before the Sept. 8 opener against the Falcons.
For the fourth consecutive August, the Vikings’ starting five offensive linemen likely won’t be together for the preseason opener, which is Friday night in New Orleans. Right tackle Brian O’Neill missed his first practice Tuesday because of a right arm injury suffered at the end of Monday’s practice.
O’Neill, the promising second-year bookend, won’t be sidelined “too long,” Zimmer said, projecting optimism about the health of his offensive line.