Vikings make surprising move with Caleb Etienne signing
The Minnesota Vikings have made headlines with the signing of tackle Caleb Etienne to their practice squad, a decision that could indicate a deeper shift within the team’s roster strategy. Etienne, a 24-year-old undrafted rookie, was previously released by the Cincinnati Bengals in September after failing to secure a spot following training camp. Since his departure from Cincinnati, he has remained unsigned.
The 6-foot-7 lineman brings with him a mix of collegiate experience, having played two seasons at Oklahoma State before transferring to BYU for his final two years. His college career was marked by a total of five sacks allowed and 60 pressures across his tenure. Although he achieved pass block grades of 65.0 in two different seasons, his senior year saw a dip to 58.6. This signing not only adds depth to the Vikings’ offensive line but also comes at a critical juncture, as the team has been plagued by injuries throughout the season.
Impact on Christian Darrisaw’s season
With only three weeks remaining in the season and the Vikings officially out of playoff contention, this move raises questions about the future of star left tackle Christian Darrisaw. The 2022 second-round pick has struggled to maintain consistent availability, battling through a significant knee injury sustained last October. Darrisaw’s absence was felt in Sunday’s 34-26 victory over the Cowboys, where he did not play.
Given the bleak postseason outlook, the Vikings may opt to shut down Darrisaw for the remainder of the season, allowing him to focus on his recovery. Head coach Kevin O’Connell addressed the situation on Monday, stating, “I would say it’s a week to week on what that week is going to look like right now. But yeah, I’m hoping we get him back in there at some point.”
Justin Skule steps up
In Darrisaw’s absence, veteran tackle Justin Skule stepped into the left tackle role against the Cowboys, playing all 55 offensive snaps. Skule’s performance was commendable, allowing just one pressure and earning a pass block grade of 75.6. Over the course of the season, he has split time between the left and right tackle positions, accumulating 24 pressures and seven sacks.
Injury woes continue for the Vikings
Darrisaw is not the only Viking facing a season-ending situation; defensive end Jonathan Greenard has also been ruled out for the remainder of the year. Greenard aggravated a shoulder injury during the Cowboys game and will undergo surgery to address the ongoing issue that has plagued him throughout his second season in Minnesota.
As the Vikings navigate the final stretch of the season, the implications of these roster moves, especially concerning Darrisaw’s health, will be pivotal in shaping the team’s future decisions. The focus now shifts towards rebuilding and ensuring the long-term health of key players as the franchise looks ahead.
