The Facts: Ellison is done for the season with a torn patellar tendon in his right knee that will require surgery and a six-month recovery.

Diehards Line: HC Mike Zimmer revealed the timetable for Ellison, a key run blocker and a reliable receiver on the limited occasions the ball has been thrown his way. He has lined up as a fullback at times, too, making him one of the most versatile players in the offense. He'll be missed when Minnesota hosts Seattle on Sunday in a wild-card game. Kyle Rudolph is the primary tight end, but the Vikings have frequently used formations with two or three tight ends. Ellison's absence for the playoffs, then, will elevate the role of rookie MyCole Pruitt, a fifth-round draft pick from Southern Illinois.