The Minnesota Vikings will be without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw for the rest of the season after he tore his ACL and MCL during Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. Darrisaw, considered one of the top players in his position across the NFL, suffered the injury just before halftime, and the Vikings placed him on injured reserve on Friday.
As part of their roster adjustments, they activated tight end T.J. Hockenson, who had been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell expressed disappointment over Darrisaw’s loss, describing him as a foundational player for their offensive line.
During the game, David Quessenberry stepped in to cover for Darrisaw. However, the Vikings are exploring a range of options for the left tackle position to stabilize their offensive line going forward. O’Connell mentioned the possibility of moving left guard Blake Brandel into the tackle role or even activating guard Dalton Risner from the injured reserve.
Another option is rookie Walter Rouse, whom the Vikings drafted in the sixth round this year and may now see more time on the field. The coaching staff is actively assessing how best to utilize their available players to maintain a strong offensive line despite Darrisaw’s absence.
Darrisaw’s absence is especially hard-hitting because he has been a major part of the Vikings’ offensive strategy since being drafted as the 23rd overall pick in 2021. Known for his performance and resilience despite multiple past injuries, Darrisaw had recently secured a four-year contract extension valued at up to $113 million. His season-ending injury is a major setback for the team, and O’Connell highlighted how much the offense has relied on Darrisaw’s skills and leadership.
The injury occurred when Rams safety Jaylen McCollough fell into the side of Darrisaw’s knee, with just 35 seconds left in the first half. Medical staff immediately attended to him on the field and escorted him to the locker room. His loss will require the Vikings to adapt their offensive plans and rely more on their reserve players. The coaching staff is hopeful that the depth they developed during training camp will help fill the void left by Darrisaw.
Rather than ending the first half conservatively, the Vikings attempted to push their offense forward, starting at their own three-yard line with three timeouts left. O’Connell explained that he had identified an opportunity to gain yards against the Rams’ dime defense, which had opened up some running possibilities. Although the move was risky, the Vikings hoped to capitalize on their offensive momentum. Unfortunately, the strategy led to a critical injury, significantly impacting the Vikings’ approach for the rest of the season.
