Vikings safety Josh Metellus to have season-ending shoulder surgery after playing through the injury

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Vikings safety Josh Metellus was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday, ending his season early for shoulder surgery after playing with the injury for the last three weeks.

Metellus, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract extension before the season, had 86 tackles, a career-high six passes defensed and two interceptions in 14 games for the Vikings (6-8).

Metellus has never before missed time because of an injury over six seasons in the NFL, last sitting out a game in 2021 on the COVID-19 reserve list. The 2020 sixth-round draft pick out of Michigan was on the practice squad for the opener of his rookie year.

Metellus joined edge rusher Jonathan Greenard on injured reserve, leaving the Vikings without two starters on defense for their final three games. They were eliminated from contention for the playoffs last week.

“This is the right time to not risk possibly injuring it any more,” coach Kevin O’Connell said. “Along the same lines as J.G., one of our captains and a guy that I could not respect more for the toughness he’s shown playing with that injury as we’ve approached the tail end of the season. And just pushed through a lot this year, continuing to lead at such a high standard.”

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