Christian Darrisaw Is Too Big to Miss during Camp

Minnesota Vikings' Dalvin Cook and Christian Darrisaw celebrate touchdown vs. Cardinals.
Oct 30, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) and offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) celebrate a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.

The Minnesota Vikings are set to kick off training camp this weekend, and there are plenty of things to watch for. This team is looking to make a name for itself in the NFC North, and it has all the talent to make it happen.

Christian Darrisaw returning to health for the Minnesota Vikings is great and a storyline to watch during training camp this summer.

The offensive line is better than it has ever been, but that’s only true while Christian Darrisaw is healthy.

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings lost Darrisaw to a torn ACL and MCL against the Los Angeles Rams. They quickly went out and addressed the situation by trading for veteran tackle Cam Robinson. This season, Robinson is gone, and despite suffering the injury in October, Darrisaw has already returned to the field.

Christian Darrisaw Is
Nov 28, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) after the loss against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports.

As the Vikings work through their training camp practices, keeping an eye on the big bookend makes too much sense. It’s already encouraging that Darrisaw was able to participate in practices this spring. The speed in which those take place is certainly a lesser extent, and the focus isn’t on gearing up for a season that kicks off in a matter of weeks.

All Eyes on Christian Darrisaw This Summer

Now, with training camp set to get underway, it will be imperative for Darrisaw to show the Vikings exactly where he is. This offseason, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah added tackle depth in the form of veteran Justin Skule. It’d be great if he never had to hit the field, and Darrisaw was ready to go for Week 1.

Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell talks to reporters on Friday, May 9th, in Eagan, Minnesota, at the first day of rookie minicamp. Minnesota has the NFL’s sixth-best record with O’Connell in charge from 2022 to present.

New starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy stands to benefit significantly from the opportunity to play behind this revamped line. He’ll work with new starting center Ryan Kelly and have interior protection from new guard Will Fries. If Donovan Jackson works out as a rookie, then returning Darrisaw to the opposite side of Brian O’Neill completes the transformation.

Of course, the Vikings aren’t going to rush Darrisaw back, and they shouldn’t. He just signed a contract extension and is a significant part of both the present and the future. However, his ability to already be present on the football field is a positive.

Christian Darrisaw practices at Vikings minicamp on June 10, 2025..
Jun 10, 2025; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota offensive tackle C. Darrisaw (71) practices during minicamp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

If that can continue to grow as the practices draw closer to the regular season, then Kevin O’Connell will have to feel good about where his offensive line stands.


Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, ... More about Ted Schwerzler