MINNEAPOLIS -- The NFL suspended Minnesota left tackle Bryant McKinnie for four games without pay Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy, a blow to the protection of Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson's blind side.
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| The NFL says that Bryant McKinnie violated the league's personal conduct policy. (Getty Images) |
McKinnie will miss games against Green Bay, Indianapolis and Carolina. That means potential matchups against premier pass rushers Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (Packers), Dwight Freeney (Colts) and Julius Peppers (Panthers).
Seven-year veteran Artis Hicks, who was Minnesota's starter at right guard for 1 1/2 seasons before being unseated by Anthony Herrera, is expected to fill in at left tackle for McKinnie. Though McKinnie's performance has been up and down, the Vikings' first-round draft pick in 2002 has not missed a start since ending a holdout midway through his rookie year. That's 87 straight games.
Jackson remains a question mark at quarterback, and - though coach Brad Childress has said repeatedly over the past few months he couldn't be concerned about the possibility of punishment for McKinnie - this was a discouraging development for this team 10 days before the season opener.
McKinnie signed a seven-year, $48.5 million contract extension, including more than $17 million in guaranteed money, in September 2006. The Vikings did not practice Friday and had no comment. Telephone messages left by The Associated Press for McKinnie's attorney, Larry Kerr, and agent, Ben Dogra, were not immediately returned.