The Facts: Rudolph likely needs surgery for the groin injury he suffered Sunday in the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints and will likely be sidelined "about six weeks," according to Albert Breer of NFL.com.

Diehards Line:As the Redzone.org suggests, it sounds like Rudolph is undergoing a sports-hernia operation. His loss is a major blow for a Vikings offense that is already missing Adrian Peterson and is now in the hands of rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner, a noted tight end guru, will now have to game plan for backup TEs Rhett Ellison and MarQueis Gray, the latter of whom played under Turner in Cleveland last season.