NFL: Personal issues sideline all-pro Vikings defender

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has been sidelined indefinitely by an undisclosed situation that has caused concern within the organization about his wellbeing.

Griffen was ruled out on the pre-game injury report against Buffalo on Sunday because of what was listed as knee trouble. When asked afterward why Griffen wasn’t on the sideline, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said the ninth-year player and three-time Pro Bowl pick was dealing with a “personal matter.” He did not elaborate.

Griffen did not take part in on-field activities at team headquarters on Monday, and the reason for the absence on the injury report was listed as both the knee and “not injury related.” KSTP-TV reported, citing unnamed sources, that Griffen was involved in a weekend disturbance at a downtown hotel. He was not arrested.

“We are aware of the situation involving Everson Griffen and certainly concerned by what we have heard,” Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said Monday night in a statement distributed by the team. “We are currently focused on Everson’s well-being and providing the appropriate support for him and his family.”

According to Minneapolis police spokesman John Elder, officers were called to the hotel on Saturday after a man threatened physical violence. The man was departing the building upon their arrival, and after questioning he was released at the scene.

Hotel staff members stated their satisfaction with the resolution of the situation.

“There was absolutely no indication that threat was credible. There was no indication of a firearm,” Elder said.

Elder did not confirm that Griffen was the individual cited in the report.

Griffen, who was replaced by Stephen Weatherly in the starting lineup on Sunday, sat out for most of the off-season practices out of precaution for a knee injury.

He missed a portion of training camp, too, an absence that Zimmer declined to discuss then. Griffen registered a halfsack in each of Minnesota’s first two games to bring his career total to 62, which is 17th among active NFL players. HISTORIC MATCHUP: Amazon Prime begins streaming Thursday Night Football games this week with the Vikings-Rams game, making a bit of broadcasting history in the process.

For the first time, an NFL telecast will have an all-woman broadcasting booth, with Hannah Storm and Andrea Kremer calling the action for Amazon on Thursday and for the 10 games on that night to follow.

"Teaming up with Hannah and Amazon for this is truly special," Kremer said in a statement, per Pro Football Talk.