Percy Harvin: What Impact Do Migraines Have on the Minnesota Vikings?

By now almost everyone is aware of Percy Harvin's persistent migraines.

It has been reported that the sleek wide receiver has been dealing with migraines since the young age of 10. This has become more about Harvin's long-term health then the game of football. 

Hopefully the Minnesota Vikings won't play the young man if it could potentially hurt him down the road. With that being said, the Vikings must have a plan if Harvin is unable to be on the field consistently this season.

How can they replace him?

There isn't anyone on the Vikings roster that brings to the table what the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year does. Harvin's versatility is what makes him so dangerous.

Last season they lined him up in the backfield on certain occasions, and with Chester Taylor gone, Harvin's role in the backfield will likely increase if he's healthy. He also gives Minnesota a dynamic threat in the return game.

With Sidney Rice (hip) and Harvin ailing, Bernard Berrian will likely be the beneficiary.

Berrian was slowed down by a nagging hamstring injury last season that kept him from getting proper reps during the week with Brett Favre. The two will get a chance to develop a relationship on the field that Favre shared with Rice so well.

Replacing somebody with the skill set of a Percy Harvin is nearly impossible, but others will have to step up and produce if he misses games.

Career in jeopardy?

Everyone was reminded on Thursday that a person’s health is much more important than a game.

When Harvin collapsed during practice, we saw how serious of problem this is for him. Details trickled out that he has been to doctors all over the place, but nobody has been able to find a way to treat him.

It's a fair question to ask how long Harvin will be able to play in the NFL. The physical nature of the game makes one wonder if he should call it quits and take care of himself. Dealing with something as serious as a migraine on a consistent basis is most likely going to shorten the budding star's career.

It would be a shame if someone as talented as Harvin had to cut his career short due to medical problems. But at the same time, it beats the alternative of damaging himself to a point where it affects his livelihood.

The most important thing right now is the heath of the player and not the production the Vikings will be missing on the field.

A headache for the Vikings

Most likely Harvin's status will be week to week throughout the season, causing a lot of uncertainty at the receiver position for head coach Brad Childress. Childress better get used to receiving numerous questions about Harvin's health and playing status. 

After going out of their way to bring back Favre, the Vikings need to get their receivers healthy if they want to make a Super Bowl run. Rice just started doing cutting drills, which is a great improvement but doesn't instill any more faith that he will be 100 percent heading into the season.

Minnesota is thin at wide receiver after Berrian, Rice, and Harvin. The possibility of a less than 100 percent Rice and Harvin missing games poses big problems for the Vikings.

When healthy, Minnesota has one of the best receiving corps in the game. They have speed in Harvin and Berrian, a possession receiver in Rice who also can make catches in traffic, and a Hall of Famer throwing to them.

Favre's ankle has received all of the attention this offseason, but it will be the health of the Vikings receivers that will ultimately determine how their season ends up.