EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have begun the week in ambiguous mode, stung by injuries and disappointed by a second straight defeat yet buoyed by the earlier-than-anticipated arrival of their rookie quarterback. The offence around Teddy Bridgewater has been depleted of several starters, but maybe the kid will be all right. Like any debuting first-round draft pick, Bridgewater brings not a boost of optimism for the team as well as an undetermined ceiling for his performance. "A lot of poise for a rookie. I mean, an incredible amount, and he can throw the ball around the field," centre John Sullivan said. "So were excited." Sullivan went even further in response to a question about the teams confidence in Bridgewater. "We should win every single game we play with him at quarterback," he said. Well, that wouldve been a tall task, obviously, even at full strength. Bridgewaters first NFL start this Sunday against Atlanta, with Matt Cassel sidelined for a while because of broken bones in his left foot, will have the benefit of being at home. He will likely, however, be without the No. 1 running back, No. 1 tight end, No. 3 wide receiver and starting right guard the Vikings expected to have at this point in the season. "You never plan on having this many injuries as you have, but were not going to make excuses about it," coach Mike Zimmer said Monday. Running back Adrian Peterson remains out indefinitely, of course, with the charge of child abuse pending against him in Texas. This was going to be the week that wide receiver Jerome Simpson returned from a three-game suspension, but the Vikings released him Thursday after news broke of more off-the-field trouble. Then Sunday in New Orleans, the Vikings lost more than just by the 20-9 margin. Five key players had to leave the game because they were hurt: -- Tight end Kyle Rudolph aggravated an abdominal injury that had been bothering him since early in the preseason. Rudolph was scheduled to fly to Philadelphia on Tuesday morning to have surgery by Dr. William Meyers, a noted specialist in dealing with sports hernias. Rudolph is expected to miss about six weeks but wanted to have surgery as soon as possible to try and return in time for the second half of the season. Rudolph signed a five-year contract extension in July and was poised for a breakout season under new offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner. "Ive always tried to demonstrate that these times can define you as a person. This latest setback will be no different," Rudolph tweeted. "I will prove that my determination and dedication to this team, city, and most importantly, our fans, will carry me back to where I belong." -- Cassel will see a specialist Thursday before a timetable for his recovery is determined. Zimmer said signing another quarterback, and tight end, was under consideration. -- Right guard Brandon Fusco hurt his pectoral muscle, in the chest area, and was slated for a second medical opinion. -- Nickel cornerback Josh Robinson hurt his right hamstring, the muscle that limited him for much of training camp. -- Linebacker Chad Greenway, who also played against the Saints with a broken left hand, aggravated a rib injury he was already dealing with last week. Asked whether Greenway could play through that against the Falcons, Zimmer said, "Not like he did this week." Elaborating, Zimmer second-guessed himself for allowing Greenway to play after being in too much pain to practice during the week. "He had a hard game yesterday. Its my fault," Zimmer said. The defence played well for much of the afternoon but had a rough start and a costly stretch late in the game with the Saints clinging to a 13-9 lead. Captain Munnerlyns wrestling-style takedown of Drew Brees for third-down sack drew an unnecessary roughness penalty, and the Saints converted two more third-and-long situations on their way to the insurance touchdown. "It was a bad call. The referee, he never blew the whistle," Munnerlyn said, vowing to appeal a fine. He added: "I feel like it changed the game for my team. So Ive just got to learn from it and try not to make that mistake again." On offence, the Peterson-less ground game has been punchless. Protection by the offensive line, particularly left tackle Matt Kalil, has become an increasing concern. "He allows one play to affect the second play sometimes," Zimmer said, adding: "Its like a golfer when he misses a putt and then he goes up on the tee box and has a bad drive. Were all going to have bad plays. He has enough athletic ability and physical skills and mental toughness. He has all those things. Now, he cant compound it by making another mistake." Cheap Air Max 270 . JOHNS, N. Nike Air Max Sale . QUARTERBACKS Carson Palmer (vs Colts)Last week: 30/42, 419 yards, 2 TDsWinners of their last three and now tied for the final wild card spot in the NFC, the Cardinals are worth keeping an eye on. https://www.wholesalenikeairmaxshoes.com/. TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted Monday morning that Callahan - who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is now open to a six-year contract at less than $7 million per season. Discount Nike Air Max Wholesale .Y. - Through three quarters, the Brooklyn Nets could not shake the NBAs worst team. Cheap Nike Air Max Outlet .ca presents its latest weekly power rankings for the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season.Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - David Perron posted two goals and an assist as the Pittsburgh Penguins powered past the slumping Minnesota Wild 7-2 on Tuesday. Paul Martin, Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang each finished with a goal and an assist, Marcel Goc and Brandon Sutter also lit the lamp and Sidney Crosby tallied three assists for the Penguins, who improved to 8-2 this season against Western Conference opponents. I thought we got better as the game went along, Penguins head coach Mike Johnston said. (Perron) has a quick release shot and is dangerous around the net. Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves in the win. Jonas Brodin and Justin Fontaine each scored for the Wild, who dropped their sixth straight game. For whatever reason, we just fall apart, Wild head coach Mike Yeo said. The things just compound quickly. Niklas Backstrom allowed six goals on 35 shots and John Curry gave up a goal on two shots in relief. The Penguins started the scoring 6:16 into the game. Craig Adams fired a shot from the point which Backstrom stopped, along with Zach Sills rebound attempt, but Goc was there to whack the puck into the net. Perron increased Pittsburghs lead to 2-0 with 7:56 remaining in the first period after he gathered a loose puck at the top of the crease and backhanded it past Backstrom. Minnesota pulled within one as Brodin moved in from the point, took a cross- ice pass from Nate Prosser and wristed a shot into the top left corner of the net at 5:12 of the second.dddddddddddd Less than two minutes later, the hosts answered back just five seconds into a power play. Backstrom got just enough of Evgeni Malkins redirection of Letangs point blast, but Kunitz was there to deposit the rebound for a 3-1 lead. Sutter outraced defenseman Ryan Suter to a loose puck and wristed a shot over the blocker of Backstrom, making it a 4-1 game 5:03 into the final stanza. Martins backhander in tight deflected off Prossers skate and into the net at 9:08 of the third and Letang slid a backhander past Backstrom off a breakaway less than two minutes later for a 6-1 lead. Fontaine sent a quick wrister past the glove of Fleury with 6:03 to play, but Perron beat Curry with a quick snap shot less than three minutes later to account for the final score. Game Notes Fleury has now recorded at least one win against every team other than the Penguins in his career ... The Wild have not scored a power-play goal against the Penguins since Dec. 8, 2005 ... Pittsburgh has won four of its last five games against Minnesota ... The Penguins improved to 20-4-5 when scoring first this season ... Pittsburgh announced that defenseman Olli Maatta will undergo shoulder surgery on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the season ... Penguins forward Steve Downie left the game after he was elbowed in the head by Suter. ' ' '