Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin is undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
The person called the procedure a "minor scope," and when asked whether Harvin would miss any football- related activities, the person said, "no way."
Harvin caught the attention of Vikings fans on Twitter on Monday night, April 2, tweeting from his @Percy-Harvin account, "just found out I will need surgery on shoulder."
A few minutes later, he clarified: "Recovery should be quick. I will be ready for otas."
The last reference was to the team's organized team activities, which are expected to begin in May for on-field work with coaches.
With running back Adrian Peterson recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Harvin is the Vikings' most important offensive weapon.
He touched the ball 139 times on offense last season (87 receptions for 967 yards and six touchdowns; 52 rushes for 345 yards and two touchdowns), along with two kickoff returns of 100-plus yards.
That Harvin tweets he'll recover and will be ready to play is easy to believe because of his track record of toughness.
In 2011, Harvin didn't miss a game for the first time in his career, despite a nagging rib injury and a migraine headache one day before a 156-yard offensive performance against Denver in December. Harvin has battled migraine headaches all of his career, though they seem to be more in check now than in years past.
Shoulder problems were never a concern for Harvin last season, making the timing of his Twitter announcement interesting. What exactly happened to his shoulder is unclear.
Just the thought of a Harvin injury sent tweeting Vikings fans into instant panic mode Monday night, at least partly because of the supporting cast at receiver. Michael Jenkins is the only other proven receiver on the roster.
Vikings add receiver
The Vikings did pick up a receiver, though how much help he'll be remains to be seen.
Former San Diego Chargers wide receiver Bryan Walters tweeted Monday from his @bwalt13 account: "Officially a Minnesota Viking!"
With three career catches for 27 yards, Walters - a former Cornell standout - will have much to prove in training camp to make the roster.
He went undrafted in 2010 and signed with the Chargers, who released him because of a hamstring injury, re-signed him to the practice squad, dressed him for four games in 2011 and released him again last month.
Two of Walters' three catches last season came against the Vikings in a 24-17 season-opening loss at San Diego. The Vikings must have liked what they saw.
Walters joins Harvin, Jenkins, Devin Aromashodu, Stephen Burton, Emmanuel Arceneaux, Kris Adams and Kerry Taylor in the Vikings' receiving group. The Vikings re-signed Aromashodu to a one-year deal two weeks ago.