Surprise Rocks Vikings Minicamp
The Minnesota Vikings put the first section of organized team activities (OTAs) to bed last week and turned their sights to mandatory minicamp, which kicked off on Tuesday.
Vikings minicamp is on the way, and a surprise headlined the festivities on Tuesday.
Generally speaking, onlookers would track J.J. McCarthy because his summer strides and development pretty much dictate the outcome of the 2025 regular season.
But a surprise [of the best kind] graced minicamp in Eagan: franchise cornerstone left tackle Christian Darrisaw is already back on the practice field — about seven months after tearing his ACL.
Christian Darrisaw Surprisingly Present and Active at Minicamp
To be clear, fans didn’t think before Tuesday that Darrisaw was on a disadvantageous recovery trajectory. But they also didn’t expect him to freely trot onto the practice field as if no injury ever happened.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote, “The Vikings got a welcome sight Tuesday on the first day of mandatory minicamp. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw participated in position drills for the first time since tearing the ACL and MCL in his left knee in October.”
“Darrisaw is not yet cleared to participate in team drills, and that isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. Initial timetables suggested that he would not be ready for a full practice at the start of training camp and would be pressed to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season. The Vikings signed a new swing tackle during free agency, Justin Skule, and he has been working in Darrisaw’s spot during 11-on-11 drills this spring.”
Had Darrisaw been off to the side in Eagan, folks would’ve not batted an eye. Not one bit.
“It’s not yet clear if Darrisaw’s recovery time has sped up. Every knee injury is different, but for reference, tight end T.J. Hockenson returned 315 days after suffering a similar injury to his right knee,” Seifert added.
At least to some extent, Darrisaw is back.
A Change in the Court of Public Opinion
Prior to this week, the prospect of Darrisaw being ready for Week 1 at the Chicago Bears in 13 weeks felt iffy. The current iteration of Vikings leadership doesn’t rush any injury recoveries, and in fact, often takes the slow and cautious approach.
So, for the most part, fans merely hoped Darrisaw could be an option for the start of the season. With his appearance and activity at minicamp, that plan seems more likely.
The alternative would’ve been no Darrisaw, casting doubt on his readiness for September 8th.
Real Test Is Still Ahead for Darrisaw
As mentioned by Seifert, Darrisaw’s on-the-field arrival in Eagan is not a rubberstamp to his game-readiness. It’s just a good sign.
Darrisaw must battle through the rough-and-tumble grind of training camp next month, ensuring the ACL is ready for the speed of the NFL. Tuesday was a good omen.
Contingency Plans Just in Case
Suppose Darrisaw is not ready. The Vikings have a few contingency plans. The club signed spot starter Justin Skule from free agency in March, a veteran who could reasonably hold down the fort until Darrisaw’s return.
Blake Brandel, last year’s left guard, has experience at tackle and could fill in at Darrisaw’s spot, if necessary. And Round 1 guard Donovan Jackson played tackle for the Ohio State Buckeyes during the tail end of their championship run last season.
The ideal outcome is Darrisaw’s return, but the team won’t be utterly cooked without him.
PurplePTSD on Darrisaw
PurplePTSD’s Janik Eckardt added more context on Darrisaw Tuesday: “The only real concern has been injuries, as Darrisaw had a core muscle surgery ahead of his rookie year, followed by some ankle problems and a pair of concussions in the next two years, and now the knee injury.”
“Through four seasons, Darrisaw has yet to play in all 17 games in a year. He logged a total of 48 contests in those four years. It remains to be seen whether Darrisaw is ready for Week 1 or not. Usually, the Vikings play it safe with their important players they want to keep around for years to come, and a setback is the last thing Darrisaw or the club needs.”
In addition to watching Darrisaw enter the mix at minicamp, the Vikings also extended tight end Josh Oliver’s contract on Tuesday.
Eckardt added, “If he were to miss a few games, it would most likely be free-agent signing Justin Skule playing left tackle. Skule has been a backup offensive tackle for years and has the experience and talent to get the job done. However, there’s undoubtedly nobody who can fully replace the great blocker. Darrisaw’s skill level allows him to play on an island, even against great pass rushers. In the running game, he is a people mover who can open running lanes like few others.”
“Darrisaw just turned 26. He signed a massive four-year deal worth $104,000,000 last offseason, and if healthy, that’s a bargain in today’s NFL economy. The final steps in his recovery will be an item to monitor in July and August when the Vikings hold their annual training camp.”
FTN Fantasy ranked the Vikings’ offensive line this month as the league’s fourth-best entering 2025, a serious preseason upgrade from years past.
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