Vikings Share Injury Update on Christian Darrisaw
Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw did not play during his team’s 34-26 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 15, replaced by veteran Justin Skule as Darrisaw heals from a knee injury.
Minnesota can survive a short stretch without Darrisaw, but not forever, and the week-to-week label keeps the entire offense in a holding pattern.
And with three games left, the Vikings announced on Monday that Darrisaw is “week to week.”
What Darrisaw’s Week-to-Week Label Means for the Vikings
Each week will bring a suspenseful waiting game for one of the Vikings’ best players.
It’s Week to Week for Darrisaw
Darrisaw’s status is to be monitored weekly, not by day.
CBS Sports reported Monday, “Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday that he’s ‘hopeful’ Darrisaw (knee) will retake the field during the final stretch of the regular season, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports. O’Connell called Darrisaw’s injury ‘a week-to-week and day-to-day situation,’ making it difficult to ascertain an expected timetable for the standout left tackle’s recovery.”
“Darrisaw managed to play through his knee issue Week 14 but was unable to suit up Week 15 against the Cowboys after logging a DNP/DNP/LP practice slate. If he can’t gain clearance for Sunday’s game against the Giants, Justin Skule will stand to draw another start.”
O’Connell said about Darrisaw heading into last weekend, “We’ll see how he feels coming off of today. At this point, it’s about managing the weeks based upon how he comes out of the previous game, where that (knee’s) at, and then try to put together a plan for the week that gives him the best chance to help us on Sundays.”
So this will just be a talker every week until Minnesota’s season ends in early January.
Skule in the Meantime
Skule, a free-agent pickup from March, filled in for Darrisaw on Sunday, the go-to guy in 2025 amid offensive tackle injuries.
Pro Football Focus did not afford Skule much love, but to the eye test, the man held up, along with the rest of the offensive line. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was sacked zero times.
O’Connell on Skule: “For Justin Skule to step in the way he did, for that interior three to battle the way they did, there was a lot of one-on-one situations within some of those downs.”
“It was an absolute grind up there against that front, and the way this defense has played, especially after getting [defensive tackle Quinnen Williams], for us to be able to put together a game like that, it was still only 51 plays, but our average per play was helped by those explosives.”
A Notorious MetLife Playing Surface
Darrisaw will presumably ramp up to this weekend before an injury designation on Friday, as Minnesota undertakes a rather meaningless game at the New York Giants.
New York was eliminated from the postseason weeks ago, and the Vikings cannot stamp their ticket, either. So, it’s a battle of two young, charismatic quarterbacks: Jaxson Dart vs. J.J. McCarthy. The Growth and Development Bowl.
It’s worth noting that the surface in New York (New Jersey) is notoriously terrible, known for causing injuries, particularly busted ACLs. In that vein, because the game means absolutely nothing, fans shouldn’t complain too hard if Darrisaw sits this one out.
Vikings’ Plan Should Focus on 2026 for Darrisaw
And on the whole, Minnesota should entertain putting Darrisaw on ice. They may not effectuate that plan, but why toss Darrisaw on the field if there’s any hint whatsoever about his knee’s long-term prognosis? It just isn’t worth it.
Of course, if Darrisaw’s knee pain is totally unrelated to the 2024 ACL tear, by all means, let the guy play. It just seems too coincidental that Darrisaw recovered from a knee injury all offseason and has been hobbled during the regular season by a — you guessed it — knee injury.
If there’s any doubt, let the guy prepare for 2026. The current season is a lost cause from his perspective.
SI.com on Darrisaw
Will Ragatz of SI.com opined on Darrisaw before the Week 15 game in Dallas, “Darrisaw continues to deal with the lingering effects of the major knee injury he suffered in October 2024, which included multiple torn ligaments.”
“He’s missed three of the Vikings’ 13 games this season and has left two others early. He also hasn’t practiced on Thursdays all season, as part of the team’s plan to help get him ready for Sundays. Darrisaw apparently was not seen on the field at AT&T Stadium with the Vikings’ other offensive linemen prior to the game.”
The Vikings also employ second-year tackle Walter Rouse, who is hungry for more snaps.
“The fact that he’s still dealing with knee issues over 400 days after his injury feels like a cause for legitimate concern. Vikings fans have to hope this isn’t something that will hinder their franchise left tackle into next season,” Ragatz continued.
“Skule has appeared in eight games so far this season at either left or right tackle. He’s earned replacement-level PFF grades and has allowed quite a few pressures (23) and sacks (7).”
With or without Darrisaw on Sunday, Minnesota is expected to narrowly defeat New York.
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