Vikings linebacker Audie Cole lost for the season after fracturing ankle

The Vikings lost linebacker Audie Cole for the season after he fractured his right ankle in Sunday's 21-18 overtime victory against St. Louis. And fellow linebacker Anthony Barr left the locker room with a cast on his left arm.

This came after rookie middle linebacker Eric Kendricks missed Sunday's game because of injured ribs.

Cole, starting in place of Kendricks, was in pursuit of Rams running back Todd Gurley during a fourth-quarter play when teammate Chad Greenway was pushed by a St. Louis blocker onto Cole's right ankle.

"Kendricks will get back and … we'll be fine," Zimmer said. "[Edmond] Robinson is doing a good job. [Brandon] Watts is doing a good job. We're not going to cry because we have injuries. We're going to get the next guy in there and go fight. That's just the way it is. I'm not going to feel sorry for myself."

Greenway, who finished with 10 tackles, moved over to middle linebacker after Cole's injury, and Watts slid into the weakside linebacker position.

"Throughout the entire season I have been just waiting for an opportunity to play," said Greenway, whose playing time has decreased significantly in his 10th NFL season. "My role today obviously changed with Eric having to sit, so it's just about filling in and playing. It's something I have done before."

Watts was activated from the practice squad Oct. 27. Rookie linebacker Terrance Plummer, who played three games for Washington this season, was added to the practice squad at that time.

"There wasn't any time for nerves," Hill said. "You're in a tough position as a backup, because you never want to see an injury happen to the starter, but when it does, you have to buckle up."

Bridgewater and cornerback Terence Newman both left the game to be evaluated for concussions.

Rookie cornerback Trae Waynes took over Newman's post on the left side in the second half and immediately made an impact. St. Louis quarterback Nick Foles targeted Waynes on his first snap and the rookie broke up the pass intended for Kenny Britt and forced the Rams to punt.

"I'm just trying to do my part on the team," Waynes said. "… I'm always going to think the quarterback is going to come my way, even if he's not or if I've proved myself. You always gotta stay ready. I'm getting more comfortable every week."

In the final minute of regulation, Waynes was called for pass interference on Britt on the drive that ended with the Rams' tying field goal. Waynes finished with three tackles and two pass breakups along with a special teams tackle.

His 40-yarder with 9:20 left in overtime — his 15th consecutive successful field goal attempt — secured the Vikings' victory. Last week in Chicago he hit the game-winning 36-yarder as time expired. It's the first time in Vikings history a player has made winning field goals on the final play of the game in back-to-back weeks.

Walsh, who also hit a 34-yarder, is used to the blustery conditions, which were up to 18 miles per hour Sunday.

"You just have to hit a true ball, hit it dead center and sometimes it will affect it, sometimes it won't," Walsh added. "More often than not, if you are hitting a true ball, it's going to move it minimally."

St. Louis kicker Greg Zuerlein used the wind in his favor to make the seventh-longest field goal in NFL history, from 61 yards in the second quarter. It's also the longest field goal ever against the Vikings.

He missed a tying field goal from 48 yards with 1:45 left in regulation, but he got another chance with 17 seconds left and converted from 53 yards to tie the score at 18-18.

The longest field goal in NFL history is 64 yards by Denver's Matt Prater in 2013. There have been four 63-yarders, one 62-yarder and four 61-yarders.

Rams receiver Tavon Austin was limited to four catches for 15 yards, but he carried the ball eight times for 66 yards.

Zimmer was pleased with how the Vikings defended Austin, but not until they made adjustments. "We had to do some changeups in the second half," Zimmer said. "I got a better feeling of what they were trying to do in the second half. They had me a little flustered in the first half."

• St. Louis was without three injured standout defenders in ends Robert Quinn and Chris Long and safety T.J. McDonald. Right tackle Rob Havenstein was also out.

• A few thousand fans hung around TCF Bank Stadium after the game to watch Carolina finish off Green Bay 37-29.