A shocking blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday wasn’t the most unpredictable piece of news regarding the Minnesota Vikings. Defensive end Everson Griffen, who is usually known as the jokester in the locker room, has been dealing with serious mental health-related issues since the start of the season.
On @gmfb with the latest on #Vikings DE Everson Griffen, who has been undergoing evaluation at a local hospital after battling a serious, mental health-related issue for weeks. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/LmH7aSdVzP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 25, 2018
There were many rumors regarding Griffen being arrested this past weekend, but the Vikings refuted those stories and have publicly announced that they are aware of Griffen’s issues off the field.
Even though he’s been dealing with these issues for the past few weeks, he still started and played in Minnesota’s first two games against the 49ers and even traveled to Green Bay to play the Packers.
He registered a half sack in each of those outings, as many fans couldn’t of figured there was anything wrong with their Pro Bowl defensive end or his well being.
Griffen underwent a mental health check per multiple reports after some of the allegations surfaced.
Minnesota doesn’t plan on having Griffen active against the Rams this Thursday night because of his recent health status. Right now, his health is far more important than rushing him back on the field.
“The only thing really that we’re concerned about for Everson isn’t anything to do with football, it’s about him getting better,” Zimmer told reporters Tuesday. “In the five years that I’ve been here, I’ve always loved Everson, the effort that he puts out, the work that he does, the chance to count on him in game time, even in practice. He’s always been a really, really good model for us, and obviously he’s going through some tough times now.”
Griffen signed a four-year, $58 million contract extension with the Vikings in 2017.
