Vikings’ Christian Darrisaw Faces Uncertain Future Amid Injury Struggles
The Minnesota Vikings find themselves at a crossroads in a turbulent season, grappling with decisions about player health as the campaign spirals downward. In light of injuries, the team has opted to shut down certain players to prevent further damage. Captains Jonathan Greenard and Josh Metellus are both set for surgery due to shoulder issues. However, the future of left tackle Christian Darrisaw remains less certain as he navigates a season marked by injury management.
Darrisaw’s Injury History
Darrisaw’s struggles trace back to a significant ACL/MCL tear he sustained in an October 2024 matchup against the Rams. This injury has cast a long shadow over his season. He missed the first two games of the current year before rejoining the lineup in Week 3 against the Bengals. The Vikings have adopted a cautious approach with Darrisaw, opting for a plan that includes missed Thursday practices to safeguard his knee.
His season has been punctuated by multiple departures from games. Darrisaw exited early in a Week 8 Thursday night game against the Chargers and again left the field in Week 12 against the Packers. A foot injury sidelined him for the subsequent game against the Seahawks. Most recently, he was unable to play in a game against the Cowboys due to knee swelling. “He had some swelling in there during the week and just couldn’t quite get there,” said head coach Kevin O’Connell. He added that Darrisaw’s situation remains “week-to-week.”
Future Considerations
When asked about the possibility of shutting Darrisaw down for the remainder of the season, O’Connell conveyed a cautious optimism. “We’re in the mindset of taking it a day at a time,” he remarked. Darrisaw is in constant communication with the medical staff to determine the best path forward, but his absence from Wednesday’s walkthrough signifies uncertainty.
The debate surrounding Darrisaw’s future is multi-faceted. On one hand, allowing him to focus on recovery could benefit his long-term health, especially with the offseason program on the horizon. On the other hand, if Darrisaw is fit enough to contribute, the Vikings would benefit from his presence in maximizing their evaluation of quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the final stretch of the season.
Performance and Concerns
Despite the injuries, Darrisaw has shown flashes of effectiveness on the field. However, his performance has dipped from the elite standards he previously set, as evidenced by a career-high eight penalties and a particularly rough outing against Micah Parsons and the Packers. Missing the game against the Cowboys raised concerns, especially considering it came more than 400 days after his initial injury.
The overarching worry for the Vikings is the potential long-term impact of Darrisaw’s injury. Coach O’Connell expressed confidence, stating, “He had a very significant injury,” but emphasized Darrisaw’s hard work in rehabilitation. “It’s been a heck of a year for him. I’ve been really proud of the way he’s attacked the rehab side of things,” he noted.
O’Connell acknowledged the unpredictable nature of Darrisaw’s recovery, mentioning that managing his workload has been essential throughout the season. “I don’t think this is going to be anything that will be a part of his future here. I do think we’re going to be able to put this in the rear-view mirror here,” he stated. As the Vikings navigate this challenging season, the focus remains on a day-to-day assessment of Darrisaw’s ability to contribute in the games ahead.
