The Vikings OL Shuffle …
The worst part of last Thursday’s loss to the Rams was when left tackle Christian Darrisaw hobbled off the field because of what we later learned was a season-ending knee injury. Minnesota heads into Week 9, needing to work out life without Darrisaw for the rest of the season. There are several ways to go about it, including a Vikings OL shuffle or bringing in a fresh face.
The Vikings OL Shuffle …
Darrisaw is up there with Justin Jefferson as one of the Vikings’ most talented and essential players. Darrisaw will be sorely missed as one of the best tackles in the game. Whatever the Vikings do, there will be a drop in the level of play at the position. Confusing the issue is the problems the Vikings already have on the offensive line’s interior. With Dalton Risner healthy for the first time this season because of a back injury, many were waiting for him to replace the struggling right guard Ed Ingram. There are two obvious ways for the Vikings to solve their problem in-house.
The first is for David Quessenberry to step in as the left tackle as he did on Thursday night. The veteran tackle has generally been solid when called upon by the Vikings. Since signing for Minnesota last season, the 34-year-old has been called upon numerous times, including four starts last season. On Thursday, Quessenberry struggled with the Rams rookie pass-rusher, Jared Verse. Covering for small amounts of time is one thing, but can Quessenberry do it for 10 games at this career stage?
The other option is to have a shuffle, move Blake Brandel to left tackle and insert Risner at left guard. The move from tackle to guard has worked for Brandel, where he has been the best player on the interior of the OL. Admittedly, Ingram and Garrett Bradbury aren’t providing the stiffest of competition. Brandel’s grade of 64.9 from Pro Football Focus is 36th best across the league. He has proven to be a solid starter after a solid start in his new position. The Vikings may be reluctant to move him. There is also Dan Feeney and two rookies – Walter Rouse and Michael Jurgens — on the roster, but I wouldn’t expect to play at this point.
Bringing in a New Tackle
Minnesota could choose to bring in a short-term replacement for Darrisaw until the end of the season. Many have suggested trading for someone like Cam Robinson. Robinson was replaced by Walker Little for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ last game. Trading Robinson to save money and get something before he hits free agency next year seems a popular theory in Jacksonville. His contract situation means the Vikings might be able to pick him up cheaply.
There are some veterans out there without a team that the Vikings may wish to explore. David Bakhtiari, DJ Humphries, and Charles Leno are currently available. Even if they aren’t ready to start immediately, the Vikings could use the depth — unless they are happy just elevating Marcellus Johnson from the practice squad.
My Prediction
I expect Minnesota will go with Quessenberry against the Colts and see how that plays out. They will see out the season with him as long as he looks at least serviceable. I just don’t see the value of putting assets into the position when there are other positions where the Vikings are weak and don’t have an elite player to return.
The Vikings should ride it out with Quessenberry, with the possibility of Brandel moving over if needed. If the Vikings are going to make a move to strengthen before the trade deadline, it should be on the defensive line or at cornerback.
We will see what the Vikings do on Sunday night when the Vikings take on the Colts in primetime.
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