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The Vikings placed tight end John Carlson on season-endin IR Saturday. The veteran tight end has suffered three known concussions in six NFL seasons and, according to various reports, two additional ones during his college career at Notre Dame.

Carlson’s latest concussion occurred two weeks ago at Baltimore when he was slammed face first onto a frozen field. Carlson missed Sunday’s game against Philadelphia after failing to pass the NFL’s concussion protocol last week.

Carlson eventually passed the necessary steps to return and practiced Wednesday, but he didn’t feel well Thursday and was held out of practice.

Accoridng to Minneapolis Star Tribune beat writer Chip Scoggins, Carlson told reporters earlier this week that he and his wife will discuss his concussion history in depth after the season, and he indicated that retirement might be an option.

“That’s something that my wife and I will consider,” he said. “After every season it’s an evaluation period because of the nature of our business. Players move around, players get cut, coaches get fired, things happen. So in that sense, every year is an evaluation period and this year will be no different. And the concussion part of it will be in that conversation.”

Carlson signed a five-year contract worth $25 million with the Vikings last offseason. He finally found a meaningful role in the offense in recent weeks after Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph suffered a season-ending foot injury.

Rhett Ellison and Chase Ford are the team's remaining tight ends.

Meanwhile, 1500ESPN.com reports that in addition to the Carlson move, the Vikings also waived cornerback Robert Steeples and elevated two practice squad players.

Defensive end Justin Trattou and running back Joe Banyard were promoted to the active roster. Banyard saw limited snaps behind Matt Asiata last week and was downgraded back to the practice squad. His promotion could indicate that Asiata or Peterson, both listed as questionable, can't go on Sunday at Cincinnati.

Peterson and coach Leslie Frazier were both confident that the NFL MVP would return to the field this week after sitting out last week with a mid-foot sprain he suffered in the Dec. 8 loss at Baltimore.