Vikings TE Josh Oliver Feared to Have Torn Biceps in Win Over Bucs

The Minnesota Vikings just pulled off a gritty 23-16 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but the victory tax is already coming due. According to Ian Rapoport, tight end Josh Oliver is feared to have suffered a torn biceps on Sunday.

Oliver left the game in the fourth quarter with what was initially called an arm injury. If today's MRI confirms the tear, he will be out indefinitely, stripping Minnesota of its premier blocking specialist right as the season is heating up.

"Ian Rapoport reports Oliver is feared to have suffered a torn biceps and will have an MRI today to determine if he is out indefinitely."

Oliver is not the guy racking up fantasy points or making highlight reels. He had a modest 3-46-0 receiving line on five targets through two games before Sunday. Instead, he is the guy doing the dirty work in the trenches so the rest of the offense can actually function.

Paying a tight end big money strictly to block sounds like buying a sports car just to tow your lawnmower, but in Minnesota's offense, it actually works. He and T.J. Hockenson have been operating as co-starters, splitting snaps almost down the middle to keep the run game afloat.

With Oliver out, Gavin Bartholomew steps up as the primary backup. Hockenson's snap count is already massive, but his blocking responsibilities might just double. That is a critical detail to monitor if you are banking on Hockenson's receiving yards in the prop market going forward.

We will know the full damage once the MRI results drop today. If the biceps is fully torn, expect the Vikings to start shopping for a very large human to fill a very unglamorous role before next week.