Darrisaw Returns to Action, O’Neill Sidelined for Crucial Clash Against Chargers
The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for a pivotal matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers tonight, and their offensive line is facing a mixed bag of news. While star left tackle Christian Darrisaw is set to make his return, right tackle Brian O’Neill will be unable to play.
Darrisaw’s Return Sparks Hope
Darrisaw, who had been listed as questionable due to a knee injury, underwent a rigorous pregame workout at SoFi Stadium, which ultimately cleared him for action. The Vikings’ coaching staff and medical personnel determined that he is healthy enough to participate in tonight’s game. However, there is speculation that he might be limited in his playing time after logging all 69 snaps in last Sunday’s game against the Eagles.
It’s worth noting that Darrisaw’s return comes nearly a year after he suffered a serious knee injury in the same stadium. Last season, during a Thursday Night Football game against the Rams, Darrisaw sustained a torn ACL and MCL, which sidelined him for the remainder of the year. His successful recovery led to his return in Week 3 against the Bengals, marking a significant milestone in his career.
O’Neill’s Absence a Tough Blow
On the flip side, O’Neill’s absence is a significant loss for the Vikings. Despite playing every snap in the previous game, he is inactive tonight due to lingering knee issues. O’Neill had previously missed a game earlier this season due to an MCL sprain, and his struggles with injury continue to plague the offensive line.
Justin Skule will step into the starting role at right tackle in O’Neill’s stead. If Darrisaw needs to come out at any point during the game, Skule could shift to the left side, with Walter Rouse poised to take over on the right. This rotation mirrors the adjustments made during the Week 5 game in London when Darrisaw had to adhere to a predetermined snap count.
Vikings’ Inactive List
The complete list of Vikings’ inactives for tonight includes:
RT Brian O’Neill
QB J.J. McCarthy (ankle, emergency No. 3 QB)
OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (neck)
FB C.J. Ham (hand)
OLB Chaz Chambliss
DT Elijah Williams
In a silver lining, rookie defensive tackle Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins returns after missing Sunday’s game, making Williams a healthy scratch. Chambliss will take a backseat to Tyler Batty on the depth chart.
As for the Chargers, they will have both starting tackles, Joe Alt and Trey Pipkins, active for tonight’s game, which adds another layer of challenge for the Vikings.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. CT and will be available for viewing on Prime Video. The stakes are high, and the Vikings will be looking to leverage Darrisaw’s presence while navigating the challenges posed by O’Neill’s absence.
