Vikings Star Could Be Back in Business
The Minnesota Vikings invested heavily in the interior of the offensive line a year ago, to go along with an excellent pair of tackles and create a formidable offensive line unit — that was the plan. It didn’t quite work that way with multiple injuries disrupting things in what became a season of struggle for the Vikings’ OL.
Darrisaw’s Health Is the Almighty Marker for Vikings’ OL
I wrote at length about what went wrong with the Vikings’ OL last year, but as we head towards June, there is positive news out of Minnesota involving Christian Darrisaw.
The Vikings’ left tackle is at OTAs and, by all reports, is looking good. Darrisaw is the Vikings’ best lineman — and one of the best players on the team — when he’s fully healthy. He was never last season.
After missing the first couple of games of the 2025 season because of a knee injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely. He returned to his left tackle spot but never looked right, playing with a brace on the knee that he had torn both his ACL and MCL on. Darrisaw’s season ended early when he landed back on Injured Reserve, with no new injury reported, suggesting he was rushed back too soon.
Darrisaw on Track to Be Ready for Start of the Season
The sight of Darrisaw’s involvement in OTAs is a welcome one. Not only that, but he does not currently have a brace on his left knee, suggesting he is well ahead of where he was this time last season. There is confidence right now that he will be ready for the upcoming season, without any lingering problems that could hinder his return to his best.
The importance of Darrisaw’s return to health, and subsequently to form, should not be understated. Left tackle is one of the game’s premium positions, with the responsibility of protecting the quarterback’s blindside. Before his injury, Darrisaw’s play was getting him mentioned in the same conversations as the league’s elite, like Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, and Penei Sewell.
A Disappointing 2025 and the Road to Bounceback
The 2025 season was a bump back down to earth for Darrisaw. His grades from Pro Football Focus were still decent.
A pass blocking grade of 71.3 and a run blocking grade of 69.8 would be welcomed by many tackles in the league, but we know that Darrisaw is better than that. He allowed 19 total pressures in pass protection, including two sacks and four QB hits allowed to opposing pass rushers. He was also flagged for a disappointing 8 penalties over the course of the season.
There is no reason to expect a fully healthy Darrisaw not to return to his former level of play. Turning 27 on June 2, he should have plenty left in the tank. It starts with a good training camp, followed by a good preseason, and hopefully ends with him back at 100% by the time that the Vikings face the Packers at US Bank Stadium in Week 1.
Minnesota’s chances of success this season greatly improve with a fully healthy Darrisaw back to his best.
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