Minnesota Vikings left deal with Christian Darrisaw re-aggravated a knee damage and didn’t return to Thursday evening’s recreation towards the Los Angeles Chargers, the crew introduced, because it additionally downgraded tight finish Josh Oliver to out.
Darrisaw exited within the first half after displaying clear discomfort following a play that left him favoring the leg. Trainers examined him on the sideline and, after a short analysis, the crew dominated him out for the rest of the evening. Justin Skule stepped in at left deal with and dealt with the remaining snaps. The transfer compelled Minnesota to reshuffle its already-thin offensive line towards a Chargers go rush that examined the backups.
Darrisaw, a key protector for the Minnesota offense, had battled intermittent knee bother this season and was solely lately cleared to play after pregame testing. His absence left the Vikings with out their major blindside bookend at a second when run and go blocking mattered most. Coach Kevin O’Connell supplied a measured replace after halftime, saying trainers would supply a fuller report as soon as assessments conclude.
That is acquainted territory for Darrisaw, who has battled by wear-and-tear points since getting into the league. The Vikings should now weigh short-term fixes towards long-term well being; an injured left deal with could be onerous to exchange and even more durable to duplicate in safety schemes. Fantasy and depth-watchers will observe early assessments and X-rays; for now, Minnesota’s offensive-line outlook appears to be like shakier than it did at kickoff.
The Vikings’ medical employees and entrance workplace face fast selections: additional imaging, a restoration timeline, and whether or not to lean on Skule and reserves or discover outdoors assist. Till the crew provides a clearer analysis, followers and analysts will solely have one certainty, that tonight’s win-or-lose margins received much more difficult with out Christian Darrisaw on the sphere.