Vikings Head to Dallas with One Major Injury Concern
Unless one believes in miracles — to the tune of a 1 in 10,000 parlay — the Minnesota Vikings don’t have much to play for this Sunday besides pride. The club is one loss away (or Lions or Bears win away) from playoff elimination heading into Week 15. Along the way, the club could be without the services of left tackle Christian Darrisaw.
Christian Darrisaw’s uncertain status now overshadows nearly everything else heading into Week 15, leaving the Vikings to prepare for Dallas while juggling a few additional offensive questions.
The Vikings listed Darrisaw as questionable on Friday, the latest chapter in a weird season of the superstar lineman.
Christian Darrisaw’s Status Hangs Over Vikings Trip to Dallas
So close to perfect health for the Vikings. So close.
Darrisaw Out for Week 15
Minnesota isn’t sure if Darrisaw will play. He didn’t practice throughout most of the week, rendering his fate for Sunday Night Football a gametime decision.
The last time this happened — two weeks ago — Darrisaw was ruled out for the tilt in Seattle, and the Vikings were later flogged by the Seahawks.
“We’ll see how he feels coming off of today,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday. “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.”
If you enjoy waiting games for Vikings players’ injuries, you’re all set this weekend with Darrisaw. His status should come to light on Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.
The Questionables
O’Connell has one more questionable player: running back Ty Chandler.
The fourth-year tailback hasn’t played since Week 1, but the franchise recently activated his practice window, a hint that he will be good to go before too long. The remaining four games are also the final of Chandler’s contract, meaning he’s scheduled to hit free agency in March.
He’ll be anxious to strut his stuff the rest of the way, perhaps showcased as Minnesota’s RB3 when he gets a green light from the training staff.
Who’s Good to Go?
In addition to Darrisaw, these six Vikings starters had limited practice throughout the week but carry no designation in Week 15:
— T.J. Hockenson (TE, Shin)
— Jordan Addison (WR, Achilles)
— Donovan Jackson (LG, Ankle)
— Theo Jackson (S, Neck)
— Aaron Jones (RB, Shoulder, LP)
— Josh Mettelus (S, Shoulder)
The original Wednesday report featured 15 names, so “only Darrisaw” by the weekend is a breath of fresh air.
Dallas’ Injuries
Dallas, too, has its share of mystery and calamity.
These players pulled down the following designation for Week 15:
— Tyler Guyton (OT, Ankle — OUT)
— Jadeveon Clowney (DE, Hamstring — Questionable)
— Trevon Diggs (CB, Knee — Questionable)
— Jake Ferguson (TE, Calf — Questionable)
Cowboys.com noted on Diggs, “It will be known prior to Sunday, however, if the Cowboys will activate Trevon Diggs from injured reserve. The All-Pro cornerback says he is ready to play, and the team’s front office will make that decision on Saturday.”
More on Darrisaw, Other Injuries
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz added context on Week 15 Vikings injuries, “Darrisaw has dealt with the lingering effects of his major 2024 knee injury over the course of this entire season. He missed the first couple games of the year, exited early on a short week against the Chargers in October, and then missed some time in late November due to an unrelated foot issue.”
“The routine for Darrisaw this season has been to practice on Wednesday, rest on Thursday, and then practice on Friday. So it was notable this week when he missed the first two days of practice. It seems likely that Darrisaw hasn’t been at full strength this season. He has the lowest PFF grade of his career (65.9) and has been called for a career-high eight penalties in essentially nine games. Still, having him out there is far better than the alternative of needing to play backup Justin Skule.”
Interestingly, if Darrisaw rallies to play, Minnesota will feature its healthiest lineups on offense and defense all season.
Ragatz continued, “The only other Vikings player with an injury designation is running back and kick returner Ty Chandler, who remains in his window to be activated from IR. He practiced in full this week and is a candidate to join the 53-man roster on Saturday afternoon. Chandler (knee) has been out since Week 1.”
“T.J. Hockenson (shin) and Jordan Addison (Achilles) popped up on the injury report earlier this week, but both players are good to go for this one.”
The last time the Vikings took down the Cowboys, the forum was familiar: Sunday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in 2019.
You must be logged in to post a comment.