We noted today that Vikings guard Scott Kooistra was placed on injured reserve just days after starting the Vikings’ preseason game against the Seahawks. Now we know why: A serious neck injury that could threaten Kooistra’s career.
Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com reports that Kooistra’s career could be in jeopardy after he suffered what Vikings coach Leslie Frazier referred to as a “pretty serious injury” to his neck against the Seahawks.
Kooistra’s agent, Joe Linta, said Kooistra is in stable condition with movement in all of his appendages after suffering what appears to be an injury to the C-2 vertebra near the top of his spinal cord.
Although Kooistra was able to walk off the field, Frazier said it was clear that he had hurt his neck.
“Came to the sideline, was in pain, really couldn’t move left or right, and in the process of evaluation postgame, they just told us it was a very significant neck injury, we’re going to probably lose him for quite a while, and he’s still in Seattle, going through the evaluation process,” Frazier said.
The 30-year-old Kooistra has bounced around the NFL as a backup guard and tackle since 2003, when he was drafted by the Bengals. In Minnesota he had a good chance of earning a starting job for the first time in his career.
