Christian Darrisaw’s Silence Sparks Uncertainty for Vikings Amid Injury Struggles
After a concerning absence during Wednesday’s practice, three starters from the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line faced the spotlight as they navigated injury woes. On Thursday, center Ryan Kelly and right tackle Brian O’Neill returned to the field, albeit in a limited capacity. However, left tackle Christian Darrisaw missed his second consecutive practice due to a knee injury, raising questions about his future with the team.
Darrisaw’s Ongoing Struggles
Darrisaw’s situation remains precarious as he continues to recover from a torn ACL sustained over 400 days ago in October 2024. His knee injury has plagued him throughout the season, leading to frequent appearances on the injury report and forcing him to miss the recent game against the Cowboys. Despite the limited time left in the regular season, the Vikings have no intentions of sidelining Darrisaw completely.
In a puzzling turn of events, when approached in the locker room, Darrisaw opted for silence, expressing a lack of clarity regarding his potential return this season. “Christian Darrisaw said he preferred not to talk today when approached in the locker room. He said he couldn’t answer a question about whether he will play again this season,” reported an insider.
Injury Report Overview
The injury report released Thursday reveals a few notable absentees. Edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and safety Josh Metellus will miss the remainder of the season due to shoulder surgeries. Additionally, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave has been sidelined by a thigh injury, missing practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. Meanwhile, wide receiver Jalen Nailor, limited for the second straight day, is nursing a back injury sustained during a touchdown catch against Dallas. Despite this, the expectation remains that Nailor will be ready to suit up against the New York Giants on Sunday.
Giants’ Injury Concerns
The New York Giants also face their share of injury challenges as they released a lengthy injury report on Thursday. Key players, including starting tackle Evan Neal and defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux, are dealing with injuries that could impact their performance. Neal, who practiced on Wednesday, was designated as a “Did Not Practice” (DNP) on Thursday due to neck and hamstring issues, while Thibodeaux has yet to take the field this week because of a shoulder injury.
Offensive Opportunities Ahead
With the Giants’ defense ranking near the bottom of the league—30th in total yards allowed and 29th in points allowed—this matchup could present an opportunity for the Vikings’ offense to capitalize. Minnesota’s running game, currently ranked 24th, has a chance to gain momentum against a Giants defense that struggles against the run, allowing an average of 153.6 yards per game. As the Vikings gear up for this critical matchup, the stakes are high, and the uncertainty surrounding Darrisaw’s availability adds an extra layer of complexity to their preparations.
