John

Sullivan

Sullivan has started 31 games for the Rams over the last two seasons, but his play really fell off last year. With Sullivan gone and LG Rodger Saffold a free agent, the Rams are now looking at two potential holes along the interior of their line. 2018 fourth-rounder Brian Allen might be tasked with filling one of those spots, but the Rams could use some outside help.

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities’ Tom Pelissero reports the deal includes $10 million guaranteed. It’s an impressive haul for a player who mostly struggled during his first three years in the league before turning the corner this season. Sullivan has graded out as Pro Football Focus’ second best center through the season’s first 14 weeks.

Both can hit free agency in 2012. Pushed around in his first two seasons as a starter, Sullivan has surprisingly graded out as Pro Football Focus’ third-best center this year. Henderson has excelled in run defense as a first-year starter. Still in their mid-twenties, both players would seem to be candidates for long-term deals.

Sullivan says his rehab has “progressed smoothly,” and he’s confident his play will not drop off after being one of the league’s top centers in 2012. Sullivan was a big part of the reason why Adrian Peterson came within eight yards of the single-season rushing record. Microfracture operations — even supposedly minor ones like Sullivan’s — are extremely tricky to recover from, so Sullivan shouldn’t be considered out of the woods until he’s back on the field in preseason action.

Coach Leslie Frazier says his standout center is on track in his recovery, but added the team “still has to see a little more progress.” Frazier intimated that everything is fine physically, but he’d like to see Sullivan “continue to gain confidence and not be worried about the surgery.” It sounds like Sullivan’s biggest challenge will be with the mental aspect of coming off an injury. He’s expected to be medically cleared for the start of camp.

He will undergo NFL-mandated testing to determine his status for Week 7, and backup Joe Berger has replaced him tonight. RT Phil Loadholt (knee) has also left the game and is questionable to return. Pat Brown has replaced Loadholt, as the Vikings’ line is crumbling amidst a 33-10 route midway through the third quarter.

"[Sullivan] is on target to start when we start, so hopefully, that’ll still be the case,” coach Leslie Frazier said after the team wrapped up its final minicamp practice Thursday. The former Golden Domer had knee surgery shortly after the season ended. Sullivan graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 center in 2012.

According to beat writer Tom Pelissero, Sullivan’s surgery was “relatively minor” compared to normal microfractures, and there’s “no doubts” he’ll be ready for the regular season. Sullivan is tentatively expected to require 3-4 months of rehab. Players are often never the same after microfracture surgery, while setbacks are common. It doesn’t appear the concern level is very high with Sullivan, however. Entering season three of a six-year, $25.6 million contract, Sullivan was Pro Football Focus’ top rated center in 2012. He was a beast of a run blocker as Adrian Peterson came within yards of the single-season record.

He passed all of his concussion tests and will start against the Packers.

Sullivan has played most of his career around 325 pounds, but he wanted to slim down after missing all of last season because of two back surgeries. “I’m not eating at restaurants very much; I’m not drinking at all,” Sullivan said. “I’m really focused on being as healthy as possible.” Although no restaurants or alcohol sounds like a torturous way to live, the lost weight should help the 30-year-old stay healthy. He is competing with Joe Berger for the starting job.