Vikings DE Brian Robison (shoulder) bas been diagnosed with a sprained A/C joint. Robison will be re-evaluated later in the week, but it's quite possible he'll be unavailable for Minnesota's final two regular season games. Everson Griffen played well in Robison's absence Sunday, intercepting Sam Bradford and taking it to the house for six points.

Vikings DE Brian Robison was forced from Sunday's game against the Rams with a shoulder injury, and will not return. Robison went down early in the first quarter, and was formally ruled out at halftime. Everson Griffen has seen an uptick in snaps in Robison's absence, and responded with a pick-six of Sam Bradford. Robison was immediately shuttled to the locker room upon going down, so it's possible he's suffered a season-ending injury.

After reviewing all of the Vikings' 2011 defensive snaps, 1500 ESPN's Tom Pelissero expects LE Brian Robison to "justify his deal and then some" going forward. The Vikings were criticized in some circles for giving Robison a three-year, $14.1 million contract last March, and letting free agent Ray Edwards walk. The move paid off. Robison played 82.7 percent of the Vikings' 2011 defensive snaps, racking up eight sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and 54 total pressures. Edwards finished 2011 in Atlanta with 3.5 sacks, 8.5 QB hits, and 26 pressures. (Pressure and quarterback hits numbers are from ProFootballFocus.com.)

Vikings LE Brian Robison is done for the day with a concussion. He finished with just two tackles. Robison was down for a while after a play late in the second quarter, and was seen holding his head in his hands. Everson Griffen figures to finish out the contest at left defensive end.

Brian Robison is expected to open the season as the Vikings' clear-cut starting left defensive end. Free agent Ray Edwards won't be back. Robison's playing time and stats have dwindled behind Edwards in recent seasons, but he'll now be facing the same single teams Edwards used to prey on. Consider Robison a worthwhile IDP sleeper.