Vikings lose McKinnie, Jackson walking with limp

After weeks of speculation, Minnesota Vikings left tackle Bryant McKinnie has officially been suspended four games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

McKinnie was suspended without pay after his offseason arrest in Miami. McKinnie faces four charges, including felony battery, after an incident with a nightclub employee.

McKinnie’s suspension begins Saturday. He is eligible to return to the Vikings’ active roster on Sept. 29 after the team’s Sept. 28 game against Tennessee.

In more news that will bust Viking fans’ balls, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is reportedly walking around with a limp, too.

With McKinnie out for four games, Jackson (if he can even play) might feel major pressure come from his blind side. Minnesota will face defensive ends Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Packers), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Julius Peppers (Panthers) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans) during McKinnie’s suspension.

The sound you hear is people breaking their ankles jumping off the Vikings’ bandwagon.

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Vikings’ offensive line takes hit, loses Bryant McKinnie suspended four games

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Minnesota Vikings’ offensive tackle Bryant “Mount” McKinnie will be suspended four games for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

“I don’t know about that,” McKinnie said as he walked off the practice field. McKinnie is subject to possible disciplinary action by the NFL as a repeat offender of the league’s conduct policy. He met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in early June.

McKinnie’s latest off-the-field incident occured in February when he got into a brawl outside a Miami nightclub. He faces four charges from that incident, including one felony. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 24 in Miami-Dade County Court.

As Rotoworld.com points out, the Vikings will face defensive ends Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Packers), Dwight Freeney (Colts), Julius Peppers (Panthers) and Kyle Vanden Bosch (Titans) during McKinnie’s suspension. Tavaris Jackson is about to lose a lot of sleep.

What a significant blow to a team that has high expecations this season.

Update: Hold that thought. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello called the report premature. Stay tuned.

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