Minnesota Vikings center Matt Birk will have his fifth surgery in about a year. He will likely be out for three months.
Birk told the Vikings that he would play this season with the pain if the team guarenteed him a contract next year. The Vikings told him to have the surgery, as they didn't want any furthur damage to be done.
Birk, a four time Pro Bowler, is a key part of the team's offensive line. Although Birk was cleared to play, it still would have been killing Birk inside any time he stepped onto the field.