EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — Percy Harvin will be a key player if the Minnesota Vikings hope to improve on last year's franchise-record tying 3-13 record for futility, and Harvin will apparently be doing so with a repaired shoulder.
Harvin tweeted the unfortunate news Monday, writing "Just found out I will need surgery on shoulder," on his Twitter page (@Percy_Harvin.
He doesn't expect to miss much time, if any, adding, "Recovery should be quick I will be ready for otas."
Harvin, 23, is coming off his best season as a pro after career-highs with 87 catches for 967 yards. He had six receiving touchdowns, to tie a career-best, while also adding career-highs with 52 rushing attempts, 345 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
With running back Adrian Peterson also rehabbing following knee surgery at the end of last season, Harvin's absence would be a big blow to the Vikings' offense. The team likely will address the position in this month's draft, but Harvin's big-play ability will be needed.
Injuries are nothing new to Harvin during his three-year NFL career. He's dealt with migraines throughout his career, but finally appeared to be over them last season, while playing in 16 games for the first time in his career. He was hampered by a rib injury last season, but played through it. Migraines and small injuries have caused him to miss several practice, but Harvin has missed only three games in his career.
Minnesota can begin its offseason program in two weeks with unsupervised conditioning workouts at the team's facility in Winter Park. With the new NFL collective bargaining agreement, the Vikings can have nine weeks of offseason training activities spread over 10 weeks beginning April 25, including the mandatory mini-camp at the end of the nine weeks.
Harvin is a big piece of the Vikings' wide receiver corps, which added former San Diego Chargers receiver Bryan Walters on Monday. Michael Jenkins should return after missing the final five games last season with a knee injury. Minnesota has also re-signed Devin Aromashodu this offseason and has young receivers Emmanuel Arceneaux, Stephen Burton, Kerry Taylor and Kris Adams on the roster.
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