The Vikings placed MLB E.J. Henderson on injured reserve Wednesday.

There was a small glimmer of hope that Henderson, who suffered a broken femur in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals, perhaps could return if the Vikings made a deep run in the postseason. But those hopes were proved to be false.

"It's a tough loss for us because E.J. meant so much to our defense," OL Artis Hicks told PFW on Tuesday. "Guys felt really bad for him considering his injury last season. He had been playing at  Pro Bowl level for us."

Henderson suffered a toe injury and finished last season on injured reserve. He underwent successful surgery on Monday to repair his leg.

To take his spot on the roster, the team activated TE Garrett Mills from the practice squad. The team also added LB J Leman and OG Drew Radovich to the practice squad.