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Minnesota's 30-17 defeat in Arizona wasn't a killer in the standings, but the loss of linebacker E.J. Henderson might stick with the team for awhile.Henderson fractured his left femur in a brutal fourth-quarter incident, an injury that almost certainly ends his 2009 season. While chasing Cardinals running back Tim Hightower, Henderson collided with teammate Jamarca Sanford. He then flipped into the air as his left leg flailed violently.
The Vikings' training staff immediately rushed to Henderson, as did head coach Brad Childress and Henderson's brother, Erin, an injured linebacker on the Vikings who did not suit up for the game. E.J. Henderson was on the field for an extended period of time before he was taken off on a cart with his leg immobilized. Childress said after the game that Henderson would remain in the Phoenix area and undergo surgery.
"It's a horrible injury," Vikings linebacker Ben Leber told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I feel bad for the guy. He has battled through so much."
Henderson missed most of the 2008 season after being placed on injured reserve with a substantial foot injury.
Video of Henderson's injury Sunday is below (Warning: Graphic content).
The Vikings' concern, of course, rested with Henderson Sunday night, but the team will have its own issues to deal with going forward. Henderson was the team's defensive captain and starting middle linebacker -- in 12 games this season, he made 83 tackles.
The depth behind Henderson is minimal, and there are very few free-agent options out there at middle linebacker with the season winding down. Rookie Jasper Brinkley, who has never made an NFL start and has just 10 tackles, will slide into the starting lineup if Minnesota cannot come up with another option.
Minnesota has not yet placed Henderson on I.R. again, but assuming they do in the near future, that would open a spot on the team's 53-man playing roster.
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