Victory is costly as Charlie Johnson, Blanton suffer leg injuries

Two Vikings starters were injured in the team's 30-24 overtime victory over the Jets on Sunday. Left guard Charlie Johnson and safety Robert Blanton were scheduled for MRIs after exiting the game during the second half.

Johnson suffered a right ankle sprain in the third quarter when running back Matt Asiata rolled on top of Johnson's leg while being tackled. X-rays showed no fractures, but Johnson wore a walking boot and left the locker room in crutches.

"I kind of felt a little grind in my shin, and I had never felt that before; that was what was scary about it," Johnson said of the injury. "I looked up and everything was pointing the right way, so I'm like, 'Oh, I'm all right.' Just as long as nothing was tilted the wrong way, I was fine."

Vladimir Ducasse replaced Johnson at left guard for the rest of the game, leaving the Vikings with just two of their starting offensive linemen — left tackle Matt Kalil and center John Sullivan — from the season opener.

Blanton injured his left leg during overtime tackling Jets wide receiver Eric Decker on a 26-yard gain. Andrew Sendejo replaced Blanton on the final four defensive snaps, marking the first time Blanton has missed a defensive down all season.

"Guys get hurt, guys got to come back and play, and that's why you never know when it's your turn," Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said. "You have to prepare and be ready to go."

Walsh misses two

Vikings kicker Blair Walsh shanked a 56-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the fourth quarter that would have won the game for the Vikings. Walsh also missed from 39 yards and made a 20-yarder. Walsh's kick at the end of regulation fell well short right as he tried to play the kick from left to right based on the wind kicking into the open portion of the stadium.

"I didn't hit the ball anywhere near where I wanted to," said Walsh, who was iced by Jets head coach Rex Ryan with a timeout before the kick. "I felt pretty confident with it and felt pretty comfortable going into it, but it was just a bad hit."

Walsh missed his 39-yarder wide right.

"When your team carries you and helps you, it definitely helps you move on from it," Walsh said. "It's my third year in the league. It's not my first time I've missed an important kick."

First for Felton

Jerome Felton picked up his phone after the game and got a few text messages from his buddies with a similar theme.

"Jerome got his first touchdown on a fluke play." It's only fitting that Felton, who serves the "dirty work" role, collected his first career touchdown recovering a fumble in the end zone. Wide receiver Charles Johnson lost the ball on a 22-yard reception and with five players in the immediate area of the loose ball, Felton was the first to react from 5 yards out to recover the ball in the end zone.

"It's kind of a cheap touchdown," Felton said. "I call it poetic justice. I've had some frustrations here and there, but to keep playing hard and when my number is called to do my job."

Even with 45 carries in four seasons, Felton's first touchdown finally occurred but in an odd way. Either way, the ball will remain in Felton's possession for good. "When I first came into the league, I didn't think it would take that long for my first touchdown," Felton said. "I'm keeping the ball for sure."

Patterson plays little

Wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was used sparingly on offense, recording his second consecutive game without a catch. Outside of one carry for 6 yards, Patterson's only impact was on kickoff returns. And he struggled mightily. Patterson fumbled the opening kickoff in the second half that was recovered by the Jets, who scored a field goal on the following drive. While Patterson disagreed with the call after the game, he bobbled his next kick return as well.

"You'd have to ask him," said Zimmer on whether Patterson has lost confidence. "I don't have a lack of confidence in him. Obviously he didn't do as well in the return game, but he had the one run that was pretty good. We just didn't get him in the game."

Harvin has big game

Jets and former Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin left the stadium on crutches. Before the left ankle injury he suffered in the second half, Harvin had six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, and a 27.3 yard average on four kickoff returns.

"It was fun; I got to see a lot of familiar faces," Harvin said. "We all gave each other hugs. It was good to see some of the coaches and some of the staff that worked at the stadium. I got to see all of them. It was all love."

He scored a 35-yard touchdown in the first quarter, leaping over cornerback Josh Robinson in coverage as fans rained boos on the ex-Viking, who stared into the crowd.

"I'm not a big 'rah-rah' guy, so to hear the boos and finally get that score, staring was a pretty good feeling," Harvin said. "It's just disappointing we couldn't get that win."