Vikings still might replace struggling Walsh

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer on Monday didn’t rule out replacing struggling kicker Blair Walsh.
The Vikings auditioned six kickers last week before electing to keep Walsh, who missed an extra-point attempt in Sunday’s 26-20 loss at Washington - his fourth PAT miss this season.
Zimmer said he was scheduled to meet with general manager Rick Spielman later Monday. Also on the agenda, whether the Vikings might sign a tackle after losing Jake Long (Achilles tendon) for the season on Sunday.
Asked whether the Vikings might still try to replace Walsh, Zimmer said, “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
“We’re going to see what all the options are,” he added. “We’ll see what the options are at tackle. We’re going to see what the options are at kicker and then make a determination and go.”
Working out for the Vikings last week were veteran placekickers Kai Forbath, Randy Bullock, Zach Hocker and Travis Coons, and rookies Marshall Koehn and Aldrick Rosas.
Walsh is 12 of 16 this season on field-goal attempts and 15 of 19 on extra points. He has been under much scrutiny since missing a 27-yard field goal in the waning seconds of a 10-9 playoff loss last January to Seattle.
Walsh worked out on his own Monday at the Winter Park field house.
Zimmer confirmed that Long will be placed on injured reserve, which will open at least one roster spot.
Zimmer wouldn’t speculate about who might start at left tackle Sunday against Arizona at U.S. Bank Stadium. Candidates include: Jeremiah Sirles, who replaced Long after he was injured on Minnesota’s penultimate offensive play; right tackle T.J. Clemmings, who started earlier this season at left tackle; and left guard Alex Boone.
Boone said after Sunday’s game he could move to the spot, and would talk to offensive line coach Tony Sparano about it. Zimmer said Boone spoke out of turn.
“Alex hasn’t talked to me,” he said. “He’s talked to (the media), which was probably not the right avenue to go about, but we’ll discuss it and we’ll figure out what the best thing to do is.”
If Clemmings doesn’t return to the position, the Vikings will start a fourth different left tackle. Matt Kalil started the first two games before hip surgery ended his season. Clemmings started the next four, and Long the past three after being signed Oct. 11.
Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who suffered a knee injury in Week 2 against Green Bay, is eligible to return to the active roster this week but that won’t happen. Asked if Peterson could play again this season, Zimmer said, “I have no idea.”