Kyle Rudolph Injury: Updates on Vikings TE's Groin and Return

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 16

As expected, the Vikings confirmed Kyle Rudolph is active for Week 11:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 14

The Vikings list Rudolph as probable on the injury report:

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 13

Pro Football Talk provides an update on Kyle Rudolph's status:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 12

Brian Hall of Fox Sports North passed along comments from Mike Zimmer on Kyle Rudolph's status for Week 11:

Updates from Monday, Nov. 10

Mike Zimmer updated Kyle Rudolph's status as he tries to return from a groin injury, via Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune:

Master Tesfatsion of the Star Tribune reported the latest on Rudolph's recovery:

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 5

Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune has an update on Kyle Rudolph's timeline:

"

Today was the first time since Rudolph exacerbated his injury in Week 3 and needed to have the surgery that he practiced with the team. He was limited to just individual drills, but still, it is another step in the right direction.

“It’s good to be back out there running around a little bit. Finally get involved a little bit, not be on the side,” Rudolph said. “It felt good.”

Rudolph is still shooting to return Week 11, when the Vikings travel to play the Bears after the bye week, though he isn’t going to overdo it just to play right after the bye. He said that head coach Mike Zimmer and head athletic trainer Eric Sugarman will ultimately make the determination on whether he plays.

“It would be horrible if we caused a setback to try to get that one game,” Rudolph said. “The direction that this team is headed right now, we’ve got to have our focus and our goal for the long term this season.” 

"

Updates from Monday, Nov. 3

Brian Murphy of TwinCities.com provides a statement from Kyle Rudolph discussing potentially returning to game action against the Bears in Week 11:

"

That's my goal. I've got to get myself in football shape. In my mind, I have two weeks to get ready so I'm going to do everything I can to get out there then.

[...]

I learned my lesson. I'm not going to go out there if I'm not 100 percent. It's not fair to the guys in this locker room and it's not fair to myself.

"

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 2

The Vikings confirm Kyle Rudolph will not play in Week 9:

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 26

The Vikings confirm Kyle Rudolph will not play in Week 8:

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

The Vikings confirm Kyle Rudolph will not play in Week 7:

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 12

The Vikings confirm Kyle Rudolph is inactive for Week 6:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 29

Mike Zimmer commented on Kyle Rudolph's status on Monday, via Andrew Krammer of ESPN 1500:

Rudolph later spoke about his injury and status with Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune and Brian Hall of FoxSportsNorth.com:

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press updated Rudolph's status from practice:

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 25

ESPN's Ben Goessling has the latest on Rudolph's status:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 24

Head coach Mike Zimmer spoke about Kyle Rudolph's recovery and return, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 22

Albert Breer of NFL.com reported on Kyle Rudolph's injured groin:

Ross Jones of FoxSports.com had more on Rudolph's future:

Rudolph send out a tweet thanking fans for their support:

Original Text

The Minnesota Vikings passing attack could take a hit if tight end Kyle Rudolph is sidelined for an extended period of time due to a groin injury he suffered during Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.

Albert Breer of NFL Network provides a synopsis of Rudolph discussing his injury:

Rudolph showed up on the Vikings' injury report for the first time this past Thursday with an abdominal injury, per ESPN.com's Ben Goessling. It's unclear at the moment whether the two ailments are related.

During the 2012 season, the 24-year-old earned a spot in the Pro Bowl after totaling nine receiving touchdowns on 493 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he fractured his left foot midway through the 2013 season, finishing the year with just 313 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.

He was hoping for a bounceback year in 2014 under new offensive coordinator Norv Turner, and the early returns were good. After posting productive numbers in the preseason, head coach Mike Zimmer explained how well the relationship was forming, via Goessling.

"[Rudolph] came up to me when he was out [in the] first half, and said, 'That guy you've got upstairs is a genius.' He was talking about Norv," Zimmer said. "You know, our coaches do a good job coaching these guys, and the players are really liking what they are doing."

Tom Pelissero of USA Today also believed Rudolph was in tip-top shape:

The Vikings rewarded the talented tight end with a five-year contract extension in July worth $36.5 million. Unfortunately, the latest injury could end up being a setback as he once again fails to live up to his potential.

Minnesota will certainly hope this ends up being a minor issue that will have him back on the field before long.

While the squad has plenty of receiving options like Cordarrelle Patterson, Greg Jennings and others, there aren't other tight ends capable of filling Rudolph's role. Rhett Ellison will likely become the best option in the middle of the field.

Follow Rob Goldberg on Twitter for the latest breaking news and analysis.