Chad Greenway Injury: Updates on Vikings Star's Hand and Return

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 19

The Vikings confirm Chad Greenway will play in Week 7:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 17

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press has an update on Greenway's status:

"

Vikings list DE Corey Wootton (back) LB Gerald Hodges (out) Sunday LB Chad Greenway (hand, rib) DT Sharrif Floyd (elbow, ankle) questionable

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) October 17, 2014"

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 16 

Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune provides an update on Chad Greenway's injury:

Updates from Wednesday, Oct. 15

Ben Goessling of ESPN and Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press provide updates on Chad Greenway's status: 

"

Greenway was with the Minnesota Vikings at the start of their practice Wednesday afternoon, after doing some limited work on Friday for the first time since he broke three ribs on Sept. 21 in New Orleans. As the veteran returned, linebacker Gerald Hodges -- who started the last three games in Greenway's place -- was sitting out of practice after injuring his hamstring Sunday, so Greenway could have an open path back to his spot as the starting weakside linebacker.

"

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 12

The Vikings confirm Chad Greenway's status for Week 6:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 10

Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has the latest on Greenway:

Updates from Tuesday, Oct. 7

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press passed along the latest on Chad Greenway from Vikings practice:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 3

Master Tesfatsion of the Star-Tribune has the latest on Greenway's status:

"

Linebacker Chad Greenway said he still wouldn’t have played if the Packers game was on Sunday instead of Thursday. He missed his second consecutive game due to a hand and rib injury. Greenway said he’s not sure about his status yet for next Sunday’s home game against the Lions.

“I wasn’t able to do my job taking punches, getting off blocks, making tackles, running, walking, sneezing, coughing, laughing,” Greenway said. “Time is the only thing that can cure it.”

"

Updates from Thursday, Oct. 2

The Vikings confirmed that Chad Greenway is inactive for Thursday night's game:

Updates from Tuesday, Sept. 30

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press passed along comments from Mike Zimmer on Chad Greenway's status as he tries to return for Week 5:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 29

Andrew Krammer of ESPN 1500 shared comments from Mike Zimmer on Chad Greenway's status:

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press also reported on Greenway from practice:

Updates from Friday, Sept. 26

Brian Hall of Fox Sports North reported on Chad Greenway's status for Week 4:

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press had more details on Greenway's impressive streak:

"

Chad Greenway has played in 115 straight regular-season games. That includes 90 straight starts, the longest of any active NFL linebacker.

Both streaks soon might be over.

The Vikings’ stalwart sat out practice Friday due to a broken hand and a broken rib. He didn’t practice all week, and his status for Sunday’s home game against Atlanta is in serious doubt

"

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 25

Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press has the latest on Greenway:

Updates from Wednesday, Sept. 24

Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune reported on Chad Greenway's status:

Updates from Monday, Sept. 22

Brian Hall of FoxSportsNorth.com passed along comments from Mike Zimmer on Chad Greenway:

Updates from Sunday, Sept. 21

The Vikings announced Chad Greenway's status for Week 3:

Following the game, Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported on Greenway's day:

"

Outside linebacker Chad Greenway started despite a broken hand, but it was his existing rib injury that shut him down early today. Cornerback Josh Robinson left the game with a hamstring injury. Not sure if it’s the same one from the preseason or how serious the injury is.

"

Updates from Friday, Sept. 19

Ramon Antonio Vargas of The Advocate has the latest on Greenway's status:

Updates from Thursday, Sept. 18

Matt Vensel of the Minneapolis Star Tribune provides an update on Chad Greenway's injury: 

Original Text:

The Minnesota Vikings have already faced plenty of adversity through the first two weeks of the 2014 NFL season, but it continued to mount Wednesday as it was announced that linebacker Chad Greenway has a broken hand.

Despite the injury, Brian Hall of FoxSportsNorth.com is reporting that Vikes head coach Mike Zimmer is optimistic about Greenway suiting up for Minnesota's Week 3 game against the New Orleans Saints:

The Vikings will need all the help they can get on Sunday as the 0-2 Saints will be agitated and hungry to pick up their first victory of the year.

It is unclear how and when Greenway broke his hand, but he didn't miss a single defensive snap in Minnesota's 30-7 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 2, according to Matt Vensel of The Minneapolis Star Tribune:

The Vikes took a big step backward in Week 2 after an impressive victory over the St. Louis Rams in Week 1. Following that defeat, Greenway made it clear that the team needed to turn things around in a big way, per Master Tesfatsion of The Minneapolis Star Tribune:

The two-time Pro Bowler has long been the linchpin of Minnesota's defense. He has topped 100 tackles in each of the past four seasons and has never registered less than 99 over the course of a full NFL campaign.

Also, the 31-year-old Iowa product has never missed a game despite currently participating in his eighth NFL season.

It remains to be seen if the Vikes will be able to turn things around defensively against a team as explosive as New Orleans, but the task would be nearly impossible without Greenway in the fold.

One has to wonder how effective he will be with a broken hand if he does play, though. With that in mind, it wouldn't be particularly surprising if the Saints attempt to exploit his ailment.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter