Vikings Injury Bug Strikes Again
The Minnesota Vikings simply cannot shake injury demons.
When no end in sight, the injury problems have rattled the Minnesota Vikings once again, this time affecting a lineman.
After a resounding win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday afternoon, the club announced that 1st-Round rookie guard Donovan Jackson will miss time after having surgery in Los Angeles.
Jackson is the latest on a long list of Vikings injuries through three weeks of the 2025 campaign.
Injuries Continue for the Vikings
Jackson, a first-year offensive lineman, is merely the latest chapter.
Rookie LG Donovan Jackson Has Surgery
Stick a fork in Jackson’s availability for next week and probably the Week 5 game against the Cleveland Browns.
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis tweeted Monday, “Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said LG Donovan Jackson suffered a wrist injury against Atlanta. Had surgery this morning in Los Angeles. Had been determined he could play in the game without any chance of additional injury.”
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about the time of Jackson’s recovery: “We’re hoping to use the part of the bye timeline.”
Probably Go Time in a Month
O’Connell expressly hinted at the team’s bye, which is Week 6, and shelving Jackson after his surgery until then would put him back in the starting lineup on October 19th, a showdown against the world champion Philadelphia Eagles in Week 7.
What’s more, the Vikings have a recent, rich, and documented history of being ultra-careful with all injuries, and it seems virtually impossible that they would rush Jackson back in a hurry.
For those keeping score at home, circle Week 7 against the Eagles as the next time Jackson will see a regular season field.
Blake Brandel Returns to Starting Lineup
An old friend will now enter the chat.
Blake Brandel started at left guard in 2024 for Minnesota, only demoted in April when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah drafted Jackson from Round 1. The Vikings kept Brandel around for situations like this, and in fact, the man can be considered one of the best backup guards in the sport.
Yes, Brandel will fill familiar shoes — starting left guard for the Vikings, a spot he held down for all 17 games last season en route to a 55.2 Pro Football Focus grade.
No OL Yet as Envisioned
During the spring and summer, Vikings fans promoted and bragged about this offensive line fivesome:
— Christian Darrisaw (LT)
— Donovan Jackson (LG)
— Ryan Kelly (C)
— Will Fries (RG)
— Brian O’Neill
That group has not played in unison through three weeks of the regular season. Darrirsaw just returned — mighily — on Sunday, and now the club will wait on Jackson, likely in Week 7.
In Ireland on Sunday, the offensive line should look like this:
— Christian Darrisaw (LT)
— Blake Brandel (LG)
— Ryan Kelly (C)
— Will Fries (RG)
— Brian O’Neill
Kevin O’Connell on Jackson
O’Connell said about his rookie after the surgery: “Just want to, first and foremost, highlight a young player who played a fantastic football game, but to do it in those circumstances and be willing to, without any hesitation, be out there with his team. We’re already down some guys in the interior who will return this week, but I thought Donovan was fantastic on the field, and what that means within the standing amongst the locker room and his teammates is just fantastic.”
“We’re hoping to be able to use the bye as part of that timeline to have Donovan back as soon as possible. But he’s off to a great start in his career — everything we hoped he would be. And yesterday was a big-time day for so many layers for him as a young player, showing his toughness, showing his commitment and being a huge part of our ability to not only run the football but just be effective on offense.”
Vikings.com Craig Peters added, “Vikings rookie guard Donovan Jackson underwent surgery for a wrist injury in Los Angeles Monday morning, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell announced.”:
“Jackson suffered the injury in Week 2 against Atlanta and was limited in practice last Wednesday and Thursday as Minnesota prepared to host Cincinnati. O’Connell said an evaluation determined Jackson would be able to play without doing further harm.”
It’s worth noting that Jackson avoided injured reserve, which can be classified as a win. Otherwise, the man would’ve been out of action until Week 9, right around Halloween.
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