Vikings' Brandon Fusco to have surgery on torn pectoral muscle Monday

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Minnesota Vikings right guard Brandon Fusco will need about four months to recover from his upcoming surgery for his torn pectoral muscle.

Fusco will have the operation done Monday by a specialist in New York. He was hurt blocking last week in the game at New Orleans when his right arm was extended and became entangled with a defender.

''I knew something was wrong because I couldn't lift my arm,'' Fusco said.

This is the first significant injury of his career and the first surgery of his life, Fusco said Thursday.

The timing was especially disappointing considering the Vikings signed him to a five-year contract extension earlier this month, a deal carrying a maximum value of $25 million including $6 million in guaranteed money.

The sixth-round draft pick out of NCAA Division II school Slippery Rock earned a spot in the lineup to start the 2012 season, his second in the NFL, and held the job since.

''I had high expectations going into this year for my team and for me as well,'' Fusco said, adding: ''It's part of the game, so you've got to deal with it.''

Vladimir Ducasse will replace him in the starting lineup this Sunday against Atlanta.