Green Bay, Wis. Vikings left guard Nick Easton suffered a broken right ankle in Saturday nights 16-0 victory over the Green Bay Packers and will miss the rest of the season, coach Mike Zimmer said after the game.

Easton exited in the first quarter after his right ankle was rolled onto by Packers defensive lineman Quinton Dial during a run play. Easton couldnt put much pressure on his right leg, needing assistance to the sideline and a cart to the locker room. Jeremiah Sirles replaced Easton at left guard.

Easton was one of three Vikings players from the game at Lambeau Field because of injuries. And the Packers saw five players go down in all.

The Vikings needed to get creative after losing long snapper Kevin McDermott to a shoulder injury just before halftime. Tight end David Morgan, already seeing an increased role with Kyle Rudolph nursing an ankle injury, stepped in as the long snapper in the second half.

Defensive tackle Shamar Stephen also suffered an ankle injury in the second quarter. Stephen was carted into the locker room shortly after the Vikings were flagged for 12 men on defense.

The banged-up Packers deactivated five starters before kickoff and lost another five players during the game. Right tackle Jason Spriggs (knee) was injured on the first snap. Tight end Richard Rodgers, running back Aaron Jones, defensive back Josh Jones and receiver Jordy Nelson were also forced from the game because of injuries.

Before kickoff, the Packers signed linebacker Reggie Gilbert from the practice squad and put cornerback Demetri Goodson on injured reserve. Green Bay was already without linebacker Clay Matthews, receiver Davante Adams, cornerback Damarious Randall and linebacker Nick Perry.

An officiating gaffe

Quarterback Case Keenums incompletion thought by the Vikings to be on first down was actually on third-and-1 because of an officiating error just before halftime.

Receiver Adam Thielens previous 3-yard catch was short of the marker on second-and-4, but the down marker was switched to incorrectly denote a first down. After the next play an incompletion to receiver Laquon Treadwell referee Carl Cheffers corrected the down marker from second down to fourth-and-1.

We didnt move the chains on the field, Cheffers said as a confused Vikings offense left the field to make way for punter Ryan Quigley.

Catch rule favors Vikings

Two weeks after the NFLs infamous catch rule took a touchdown away from Thielen in Carolina, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer used the rule to Minnesotas advantage.

Nelsons 25-yard catch, which would have been the games biggest play, was overturned after review showed the ball shifting and hitting the turf as he hit the ground.

Zimmer has now won five of his eight challenges for the Vikings this season, a 63-percent success rate that would be his best in four years at the helm.

Smiths statement

Safety Harrison Smith made his Pro Bowl statement after he was snubbed from this seasons original roster last week.

Smith stepped in front of an ill-advised Brett Hundley pass intended for tight end Lance Kendricks, ending in Smiths team-leading fourth interception of the season. Smith finished with seven combined tackles, four resulting in gains of 2 yards or fewer for Green Bay.

Bad footing at Lambeau

With a temperature of 10 degrees at kickoff, the soft grass at Lambeau Field didnt provide much stability for either team. Vikings defensive backs slipped in coverage while Packers receivers also couldnt maintain their footing.

Before he left with a shoulder injury, Packers receiver Jordy Nelson caught a third-down screen pass and slipped before a Vikings defender touched him. Hundley also slipped in the backfield on a read-option play before Smith could make the tackle.

Forbath solid

Kicker Kai Forbath has now converted six consecutive field goals after he made all three attempts for the Vikings on Saturday night. He has made 32 of 37 field goals this season, or 86.5 percent.

Forbath was good from 49, 27 and 20 yards against the Packers.

Kevin McDermott

Vikings’ Nick Easton suffers broken right ankle, will miss rest of season