Franchise Cornerstone Returns for Vikings
There won’t be any injury mystery this week on Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw’s injury status. Thanks to an update from the coaching staff, Darrisaw is good to go for the Vikings’ Week 14 tilt with the Washington Commanders.
A key Vikings offensive tackle returns after missing time with an injury, giving the offense a needed boost heading into the next matchup.
Darrisaw missed last weekend’s game at the Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota lost embarrassingly by a score of 26-0.
Christian Darrisaw Returns for Vikings
The announcement coincides with J.J. McCarthy back under center.
Darrisaw a Full Go for Week 14
Unless he encounters a late-week setback, Darrisaw will be on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters Wednesday, “Like I said Monday, the plan for Christian is to have his normal work week and flow and play in the football game.”
The first injury report of Week 14 later confirmed a full practice for the superstar left tackle.
No Such Luck on LG Donovan Jackson
Ready for the bittersweet? Rookie left guard Donovan Jackson won’t play for a second consecutive game.
O’Connell sounded markedly less bullish about Jackson: “Donovan is not quite there yet from a standpoint of participating in practice, but he’s rapidly recovering and doing everything in his power to be on the field. It’s been awesome to see, and we’ll see how that works towards the end of the week.”
“He’s proven, coming off the wrist surgery earlier this year, he can go out there and play at a pretty high level if he can get to that place where he’s stable and has the power and change of direction.”
That’s the precursor to a big fat “ruled out for Week 14.”
Darrisaw Hopes to Rebound from Putrid Week 12 Showing
On Darrisaw, the last time fans saw him, the otherwise stellar lineman played like a buffoon at the Packers. He gave up five pressures and two sacks on 19 J.J. McCarthy dropbacks, most of which were delivered by Micah Parsons. Pro Football Focus stamped him with a 54.5 overall grade, one of the lowest he’s posted, and a 24.4 pass-blocking grade — the worst of his career.
The veteran tackle, built on dependability and steady dominance, got handled. If a bad outing was coming, it was Week 12. What happened to Darrisaw? Simple — Micah Parsons happened.
The minute Green Bay traded for Parsons last summer, Vikings fans pictured this exact matchup. Parsons was always going to be a problem for Minnesota for the next half-decade, and the trade felt like Jerry Jones sending him to the one place that would piss off the Vikings most.
What no one forecasted was Darrisaw folding this completely, even for a single game. Parsons is a future Hall of Famer, and he played like one against Minnesota’s offensive line.
A Bit Meaningless?
There’s one more “but” about Darrisaw’s return. The Vikings are basically done this season. Indeed, they have five games left before the horn blows, but with one more loss or one Packers win, Minnesota will be eliminated from the postseason.
Per summer calculations from fans, Minnesota was supposed to be very much in the hunt right now. No such luck.
Therefore, Darrisaw in the lineup is bittersweet. His presence will help keep McCarthy upright, giving him time to pass in addition to plowing running lanes for Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Still, it doesn’t really matter. Minnesota is playing for respect.
Ironically, some Vikings faithful don’t really care if the team wins or loses. Another loss would improve 2026 draft positioning. Yes, apathy.
More Week 14 Perspective + Injury Report Notes
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness wrote Wednesday, “The only way for them to make the playoffs is to win the next five games, and the Green Bay Packers lose the next five games. That isn’t likely to happen for the Vikings, but this game has another potential meaning: draft position.”
“If the Vikings end up losing, it will improve their draft position, but they want to win this and every game. If they want to get the win, they will need players to get healthy. McCarthy needed to practice in full to clear the concussion protocol.”
The Vikings have won five of their last six matchups against the Commanders.
Forness also remarked, “This is a very good sign that he will end up starting on Sunday afternoon. On the other hand, Brandel entered concussion protocol, which could force Joe Huber into the starting role with Jackson potentially being out. Chandler also had his 21-day practice window activated after suffering a knee injury in the season opener.”
“The one serious addition that we haven’t seen in recent weeks is Rodriguez. Having him miss the game could be tough on the Vikings, especially in trying to stop the run.”
Darrisaw is under contract in Minnesota through the end of 2029.
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