Brian

Robison

Robison, 36 later this week, spent 2018 out of the league after being released at final cuts last summer. He’s signing a one-day contract to retire with the Vikings after spending his entire career in the organization. Robison recorded 60 career sacks while also playing strong run defense.

He finished with just two tackles. Robison was down for a while after a play late in the second quarter, and was seen holding his head in his hands. Everson Griffen figures to finish out the contest at left defensive end.

The Vikings were criticized in some circles for giving Robison a three-year, $14.1 million contract last March, and letting free agent Ray Edwards walk. The move paid off. Robison played 82.7 percent of the Vikings’ 2011 defensive snaps, racking up eight sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 54 total pressures. Edwards finished 2011 in Atlanta with 3.5 sacks, 8.5 QB hits, and 26 pressures. (Pressure and quarterback hits numbers are from ProFootballFocus.com.)

He would have 9.5, but Kevin Kolb poked him in the eye while in the grasp last week. Allen had to let go because “it felt like Kolb was touching my brain.” Allen and Brian Robison have combined for 13 sacks on a still-dominant defensive line. The Vikes haven’t missed Ray Edwards in the least.

“I’m sure Sunday it’s going to be painful,” Robison said. “But bottom line is we’re trying to clinch a playoff spot and we need all hands on deck.” Robison suffered a Grade 3 sprain of the AC joint in his right shoulder on Dec. 16 and sat out last weekend’s win at Houston, which set up Sunday’s win-and-in situation against the Packers at the Metrodome. Coach Leslie Frazier said he’d ultimately lean on Robison to make the decision.

With the playoffs on the line in a must-win game, Robison is playing through a Grade 3 sprain in his AC joint. Vikings inactives: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Stephen Burton, CB Brandon Burton, S Robert Blanton, LB Audie Cole, OL Troy Kropog and DE D’Aundre Reed.

“We’ll talk a little bit more about how we want to proceed with him. But he did enough in practice (Friday) to create some encouragement amongst our staff and his teammates as well,” said coach Leslie Frazier.Robison suffered a Grade 3 sprain of his right shoulder in last weekend’s win at St. Louis. He left the locker room in a sling and didn’t practice on Wednesday or Thursday. If Robison sits, Everson Griffin will start at left end.

Robison sustained a Grade 3, or most severe sprain, against the Rams last week. Everson Griffin will start at left and George Johnson is active after getting called up from the practice squad earlier this week. The rest of the Vikings’ inactives: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, WR Stephen Burton, CB Brandon Burton, LB Audie Cole, OL Troy Kropog and DE D’Aundre Ree.

Robison went down early in the first quarter, and was formally ruled out at halftime. Everson Griffen has seen an uptick in snaps in Robison’s absence, and responded with a pick-six of Sam Bradford. Robison was immediately shuttled to the locker room upon going down, so it’s possible he’s suffered a season-ending injury.

Robison will be re-evaluated later in the week, but it’s quite possible he’ll be unavailable for Minnesota’s final two regular season games. Everson Griffen played well in Robison’s absence Sunday, intercepting Sam Bradford and taking it to the house for six points.