Vikings Fans Won’t Love the Christian Darrisaw Update
If you were excited by Christian Darrisaw’s on-the-field appearance — practicing, even — at mandatory minicamp, it’s time to pump the brakes.
Christian Darrisaw’s return is unclear, and Vikings fans may not love the latest update. His rehab progresses, nevertheless.
The Minnesota Vikings left tackle tore his ACL last October and has since battled back valiantly to be ready for the 2025 campaign. Optimists saw his presence at minicamp, assuming it might pave the way for a Week 1 return.
However, The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis, who is quite plugged into the team, came along this week with a humbling update.
Week 1 Return for Christian Darrisaw Evidently a “Rosy” Theory
Lewis sized up the Vikings’ offense this week, revealing 45 observations about the team’s offensive players. When he got to Darrisaw, well, he called the Week 1 forecast for his return a bit “rosy.”
“Will he be back in time for Week 1? That’s probably a rosy expectation at this point. Still, Darrisaw has attacked his rehab. The Vikings have commended his progress,” Lewis opined.
The theory and update run contrary to recent momentum. For example, the Voice of the Vikings, Paul Allen, said last month that he believed Darrisaw was on track for Week 1.
The Latest Christian Darrisaw Theory Isn’t Ideal
A Week 1 return might be too optimistic for Minnesota’s left tackle.
Previous Spring and Summer Momentum
Lewis’ update totally reverses the common sentiment about Darrisaw’s go-live date. Many thought that because Darrisaw showed up in the flesh at minicamp, he’d be a Week 1 participant against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.
It’s worth noting that practicing at minicamp and live regular season action are two different beasts, so Lewis’ theory may hold weight. Thankfully, Darrisaw still has two months to determine his verdict.
Lewis’ Update Fit Vikings’ Modus Operandi
In line with The Athletic‘s musings about Darrisaw’s recovery, this brand of Vikings, led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, doesn’t rush injury timelines — minor or major.
For example, T.J. Hockenson tore his ACL in December 2023, and by August 2024, he told some podcasters that he was “good to go.” Then, Minnesota didn’t green-light Hockenson’s recovery until the middle of the regular season — ironically right around the time Darrisaw tore his ACL.
It’s much more likely that Minnesota “takes it easy” with Darrisaw than rushing him back for a Week 1 return.
What Next if No Darrisaw in September?
The contingency plan? The Vikings have one. Adofo-Mensah signed veteran tackle Justin Skule from free agency — some now call him Justin Skol — and he can probably hold down the fort until Darrisaw’s return.
Lewis wrote about Skule, “Another underrated offseason signing. Skule filled in admirably for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. It wouldn’t be the worst idea for the Vikings to pick his brain on Tampa’s run game, either.”
Otherwise, Minnesota’s 1st-Round pick Donovan Jackson, a guard, played tackle down the stretch of the Ohio State Buckeyes’ 2024 championship run.
Other Darrisaw Context
The Viking Age‘s Brad Berreman offered some Darrisaw context last month — before the Lewis update.
He wrote, “Throughout the offseason, Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell has been very optimistic about Darrisaw’s recovery. At last check in April, when the team reconvened for the start of voluntary offseason work, O’Connell said Darrisaw had ‘absolutely knocked it out of the park so far’ and was ‘really attacking’ his rehab.”
“It’s one thing to be captured walking toward the practice field, but actually doing anything of any substance out on the practice field would be the true test. Subsequent clips from Vikings’ reporters on the ground at TCO Performance Center showed Darrisaw seemingly moving around pretty well.”
Minnesota’s offensive line is considered the fourth-best in the business heading into 2025, according to FTN Fantasy.
Berremand added, “Darrisaw is about seven and a half months removed from his injury last October. What, if anything, he’ll do on the practice field over the final two scheduled days of Vikings minicamp is a natural question. But not having to stand on the sidelines observing practice with his helmet in his hand on Day 1 is undeniably a good thing, and a positive sign Darrisaw will be cleared for Week 1 as we near the weeks before training camp.”
“Having Christian Darrisaw participating in some aspects of practice for the Minnesota Vikings is a great sign that the key blocker is trending toward being ready for the 2025 NFL season.”
The Vikings play the Chicago Bears in Week 1, and the Bears’ defense ranked 22nd per DVOA last season.
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