Vikings Have a Glimmer of Hope for Offensive Stars’ Soon Returning to the Field
The Minnesota Vikings have dealt with a number of injuries this season.
In particular, the offensive line has continuously seen players in and out of the lineup because of injuries. Ryan Kelly is out for the foreseeable future after multiple concussions suffered this season, and both star offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill have been in and out of the lineup because of lingering injuries.
However, in a latest update on the statuses Darrisaw and O’Neill, a glimmer of hope was provided for fans hoping to see them back on the field sooner rather than later.
Latest Update on Injured Vikings Offensive Line Stars
In a press conference on Friday, head coach Kevin O’Connell discussed the two offensive linemen.
“I do feel positive about where both Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw are today and hopefully in regards to their work week next week and leading into being available,” O’Connell said.
Both offensive tackles have missed multiple games early in the season. Darrisaw, obviously, missed the first two games of the season as he continued to recover from his ACL/MCL tear suffered last season, and he has continued to miss portions of games.
Darrisaw exited early against the Los Angeles Chargers this past Thursday after playing just nine offensive snaps.
Meanwhile, O’Neill has also missed two games after sustaining a sprained MCL during Minnesota’s Week 4 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin.
O’Neill did not play Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, but he returned following the bye for Minnesota’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles before being sidelined again this Thursday against the Chargers.
As a result, the Vikings have relied on names like Justin Skule and Walter Rouse to take on snaps this season with Skule actually playing more than 60% of the offensive snaps so far this year.
The results have not been great, though. Skule has been on the hook for 19 pressures and six sacks so for this season while Rouse has been blamed for six pressures and a sack as well.
Vikings quarterbacks have been sacked 28 times this season, the third-most in the NFL entering Sunday’s action.
Not all the problems will be fixed when the offensive tackles return as center Ryan Kelly remains sidelined due to multiple concussions suffered this season. However, things hopefully will get a bit easier along the offensive line when both starting tackles are fully healthy.
Week 9 would be a great time to see them show up on the field together as the Vikings prepare to take on the Detroit Lions, who are coming off a bye week and have recorded 23 sacks, tied for third-most in the NFL coming into Week 8.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Reference.
You must be logged in to post a comment.