John Sullivan is set to ride the IR Boomerang.
The Minnesota Vikings center will spend the first eight games of the season on injured reserve-designated for return after undergoing spinal surgery on Wednesday, the team announced.
The veteran pivot is eligible to practice again after six weeks and return to games starting with Minnesota's Week 10 tilt against the Oakland Raiders.
In his place, veteran Joe Berger will start at center for a Vikings line that has suffered a handful of injuries. Beyond Sullivan, starting right tackle Phil Loadholt will miss the entire season after tearing his Achilles' tendon during the preseason.
The Vikings have been talked about all offseason as a sneaky playoff contender in the NFC, but losing two starters off the line won't help Teddy Bridgewater. It's a good thing Minnesota has the best running back in our galaxy to keep defenses on their heels.
