The Minnesota Vikings made it official that Sidney Rice would be out for at least the first six weeks of the season after placing him on the Physically Unable to Perform list Tuesday.
ESPN 1500 explains the implications of the PUP list assignment:
At any time during a three-week window beginning Oct. 19, Rice can begin practicing. Once he does, another three-week window opens, by the end of which the Vikings must decide whether to activate Rice or moved him to injured reserve. So, the final deadline is in advance of the Vikings’ 12th game, Dec. 5 against the Buffalo Bills.
Given the nature of his injury and the recovery timeline, it remains to be seen what role Rice — who turns 24 on Wednesday — will be able to play if and when he returns to the active roster.
As long as Rice is on reserve/PUP, he doesn’t count against the Vikings’ active roster.
This isn’t breaking news by any means, as the biggest part of the story is that the Vikings will be able to carry someone else – Javon Walker? – on the roster until Rice is healthy.
The vikings also waived receiver Marko Mitchell, tackle Bill Noethlich and injured linebacker J Leman to get to Tuesday's mandatory 75-player roster limit.