Brandon Fusco misses Vikings practice due to a concussion

Starting left guard Brandon Fusco, who played every offensive snap in Sunday's win over the Lions, did not practice this afternoon due to a concussion.

Fusco watched his fellow linemen go through position drills during the portion of practice open to media. Jeremiah Sirles, acquired in a trade from the Chargers in early September, replaced Fusco with the starters.

The Vikings are already down two starters with right tackle Phil Loadholt and center John Sullivan on injured reserve (Sullivan is eligible and expected to return at midseason). So obviously being without Fusco's services against the Chargers this weekend would not be ideal.

Nose tackle Shamar Stephen, who is still on the mend after knee surgery last month, was the only other Vikings player listed on the injury report. He was, however, a full participant today.

I blogged earlier that nose tackle Linval Joseph was nowhere to be found when the Vikings broke out into positional drills. But I'm told he returned to practice after reporters were shooed away and was a full participant in the practice. And that checks out, as he isn't listed on the injury report.