Mental-health issues for Vikings’ Griffen
Last week, the Minnesota Vikings were concerned enough about Everson Griffen’s state of mind that they barred the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end from practice until he had a mental-health evaluation.
After a scary series of incidents Saturday, Griffen remained away from the team Tuesday and out of action indefinitely. Head coach Mike Zimmer said Griffen would not travel with the team to play the Rams in Los Angeles on Thursday.
“The only thing we really are concerned about for Everson isn’t anything to do with football. It’s about him getting better,” Zimmer said.
“In the five years that I’ve been here, I’ve always loved Everson and the effort that he puts out, the work that he does, the chance to count on him in game time and 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, 30, was going to miss Sunday’s game against the Bills because of a nagging issue with his knee, but even without the injury he was in no condition to play.
According to police in Minnetrista, the Minneapolis suburb where he lives, Griffen was making comments about people trying to kill him. He eventually was transported by ambulance to an area hospital for his well-being, despite jumping out of the vehicle at one point during a brief stop for crossing deer. Despite a lengthy police report taken Saturday, Griffen was not arrested or suspected of committing any crimes.
“I just hope for the best for him,” Zimmer said. “In the long run, he’s a really good kid.”
Asked if he believed the Vikings did enough to ensure Griffen received a psychiatric evaluation, Zimmer said that wasn’t his area of expertise. He did, however, praise the organization’s approach to providing off-the-field support.
“Our owners do an unbelievable job of giving these players all the resources that they need. If we have to bring in experts from some other place or he has to go see other people, our owners are outstanding with that,” Zimmer said.
Stephen Weatherly has taken Griffen’s place in the starting lineup. Briefly: Rams cornerback Aqib Talib will have surgery Thursday to repair an ankle injury. A timetable for his return is not known . ... Tennessee added quarterback Austin Davis with Marcus Mariota dealing with an injured elbow and backup Blaine Gabbert in the concussion protocol . ... The Panthers acquired former Raiders tackle Marshall Newhouse from Buffalo for a conditional draft pick.