Minnesota Vikings update status of defensive end Everson Griffen

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen has been officially ruled out of Sunday’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Griffen will be placed on the reserve/ non-football illness list with no timetable for an expected return.

The Vikings defensive end has been away from the team since Wednesday dealing with a personal issue. Griffen was taken to a mental health facility after an incident with local authorities that began roughly around 3:00 a.m. and did not conclude until 1:30 p.m.

Since then, members of the Vikings organization have spoken out in support of their teammates. Running back Dalvin Cook expressed the importance of mental help in today’s world.

“Yeah, that’s why your mental health is always important,” Dalvin Cook said. “Checking on your loved ones, your brothers, the tough ones that don’t show the signs of being weak or show the signs of have nothing wrong with them, just going about their day to day.”

“Just making sure that they’re OK. That’s important in today’s world,” Cook added. “The guys and the people that’s taken advantage of, making sure their well-being and their mentals are OK. That’s a big step in life today.”

More about Everson Griffen

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen released a video on his Instagram early Wednesday morning saying people were trying to kill him in his house. In the video, he is holding a gun.

Griffen said in the video that he purchased the gun with the help of Dalvin Cook, Minnesota’s star running back.

“Registered to me,” Griffen added. “I bought all my bullets around town… It all belongs to me, and they are registered to me.”

According to a police report, the Minnetrista Police Department responded to a 911 call from Griffen. He said someone was inside of his home, where he resides with his wife and three sons, and needed police. He said he had fired a weapon, but no one was injured. Law enforcement did not locate an intruder.

The Vikings released a statement on Wednesday following the incident, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“Vikings representatives and the team’s mental health professional have been on-site at Everson Griffen’s home since early this morning and are cooperating with law enforcement,” the statement read. “Our only concern at this time is the safety and well-being of Everson and his family. We will have further comment at the appropriate time.”