GREEN BAY, Wis. _ Vikings left guard Nick Easton will require season-ending surgery after fracturing his right ankle in Saturday's 16-0 victory over the Packers, according to coach Mike Zimmer.
Easton left in the first quarter after his right ankle was rolled onto from behind by Packers defensive lineman Quinton Dial, who was trying to tackle Latavius Murray. Easton couldn't put much weight on his right leg, and need assistance to the sideline before being carted into the locker room.
Long snapper Kevin McDermott will require a magnetic resonance imaging scan on the shoulder he injured just before halftime, according to Zimmer.
"We're going to have to juggle some things around," Zimmer said, "but that's kind of what we've done all year."
The Vikings also lost defensive tackle Shamar Stephen to an ankle injury in the first half. Tight end David Morgan stepped in as the replacement long snapper. Jeremiah Sirles, who has already made three fill-in starts this season, stepped in for Easton and will likely start moving forward. Sirles has dealt with knee injuries of his own this season.
"He's aching sometimes, he goes in there and he fights," Zimmer said of Sirles. "He figures out a way to get it done. I'm glad we have him."
The banged-up Packers deactivated five starters before kickoff and lost another five players during the game. Right tackle Jason Spriggs (knee) was injured on the first snap. Tight end Richard Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones, defensive back Josh Jones and receiver Jordy Nelson all were forced from the game because of injuries.
Before kickoff, the Packers signed linebacker Reggie Gilbert from the practice squad and put cornerback Demetri Goodson on injured reserve. Green Bay was already without linebacker Clay Matthews, receiver Davante Adams, cornerback Damarious Randall and linebacker Nick Perry.
