Vikings notes: Fusco set for surgery

Brandon Fusco said he will have surgery on his torn pectoral muscle Monday in New York, and the Vikings right guard expects the recovery time to take about four months.

Fusco, 26, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.

"I've always been healthy my whole life," Fusco said. "I'm very disappointed. It's something that's new to me. So I have to get surgery and go from there. Rehab, work hard and come back stronger next year."

The injury occurred in the second half of Sunday's 20-9 loss at New Orleans. Fusco said he felt a pop in his chest as he was blocking. He remained in the game for two more plays but said he went to the sideline when he couldn't lift his arm.

Fusco plans to rehab at Winter Park and be around the team throughout the season, though he won't be suiting up.

"If I'm not around here, I'll drive myself nuts," he said. "I love the game of football, and I'm just going to be around here with the guys and do as much as I can."

Fusco signed a five-year, $25 million extension right before the season opener. He will likely be replaced by Vladimir Ducasse, marking the first change in the Vikings starting offensive line since the 2012 season opener.

The Vikings run game has struggled without Adrian Peterson, but Patterson said he is not lobbying for more carries.

"I trust everything coach [Norv] Turner is doing and the offensive staff," Patterson said. "When my time comes, my time is going to come and I'll be ready for it."

Turner, the team's offensive coordinator, said teams are concentrating on Patterson now. He said the offense needs to find balance to break a drought of seven quarters without a touchdown.

"When everyone talks about balance, they think it's run and pass," Turner said. "It's balance in terms of getting all of our players involved. In my experience when they're going good, they take someone away or concentrate on someone to give someone else the opportunity."

Return man Devin Hester is no longer with Chicago after eight seasons, but the Vikings won't avoid him this season as he signed with the Falcons.

"Unfortunately, he hasn't skipped a beat," Priefer said. "Watching him on tape, he still has the great vision, the great explosion, the great speed."

The Vikings have given up more touchdowns on punts and kickoffs (four) to Hester than any team in the NFL during his career.

Tight end MarQueis Gray could play an important role against Atlanta with Kyle Rudolph sidelined for about six weeks after sports hernia surgery. Gray said he's continuing to work on his blocking ability, but he takes pride in his strong, big hands that make him a viable option in passing situations.

"Just catching everything that comes to me, I'm really big on that," Gray said. "It's my strong aspect, so when I drop the ball, I'm really hard on myself about it because I know I can't do that."

• Linebacker Chad Greenway (hand/rib) did not practice again on Thursday, and his status for Sunday is uncertain.