Vikings sign guard after Geoff Schwartz diagnosed with sports hernia

MANKATO, Minn. -- Geoff Schwartz has a sports hernia, an NFL source said late Friday night, leaving the Minnesota Vikings guard's status in doubt to start the season. 

Schwartz, 26, returned to the Twin Cities for further examination after complaining of trouble turning to one side during practice. 

Coach Leslie Frazier said earlier Friday the injury was believed to be an abdominal strain, but the team wanted to make sure it wasn't related to the hip surgery that sidelined Schwartz for all of last season in Carolina.

Schwartz underwent an MRI and doctors determined he has a sports hernia -- a painful soft tissue injury that occurs in the groin area. If Schwartz has surgery, he likely would miss a month or more. 

Schwartz has been competing with Brandon Fusco for the starting job at right guard. 

Down to only 11 offensive linemen in Friday's practice because of injuries to Schwartz, Pat Brown (knee), DeMarus Love (shoulder) and Kevin Murphy (heat illness), the Vikings worked out two players and signed former Arkansas guard Grant Cook, who was waived by Green Bay on July 25.

To make room for Cook on the 90-man roster, the Vikings waived end Eric Latimore. 

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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