There’s Some Concern About Christian Darrisaw
Injuries can linger, some more than others. Christian Darrisaw’s severe knee injury, suffered about a year ago in Los Angeles during a primetime matchup, remains a concern to monitor going forward. With the next game being played, well, in Los Angeles in primetime, Darrisaw’s status is suddenly in question.
There’s Some Concern About Christian Darrisaw
Few players on the roster are as valuable as the 2021 first-rounder. Most would point to Justin Jefferson, but one could certainly make the argument that the large blocker is the most important player on the team.
Either way, the Vikings need him active on gamedays to be even remotely considered “full strength,” but he might not be there to protect Carson Wentz’ blind side.
On Wednesday, a travel day for the Vikings, the team released the final injury report, and out of nowhere, Darrisaw appeared with a knee injury. Those reports are estimates in short weeks. Had the team practiced, would he have been available? This time, he wouldn’t have.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert noted on social media after the designation was announced, “Christian Darrisaw took regularly scheduled days off from practice before the bye and took himself out of the Browns game as he worked back from his ACL/MCL injury. But he played every snap vs. Eagles. If this were a rest day, the report would have said ‘not injury related.'”
Indeed, Darrisaw has frequently missed practice sessions since returning from the injury. Those are listed as rest days, though. This time, it’s called a knee issue.
Seifert later added, “What I’ve gleaned from a few sources: Darrisaw needed some treatment this week on the knee after playing 69 snaps vs Eagles. (He actually said as much in the locker room Tuesday.) No huge concerns, but also no guarantee he can make the quick turn on the short week. TBD.”
The knee will be a weekly item to monitor for the remainder of the season. Those injuries are no joke and don’t just disappear once the player is ready to return. Treatment could mean anything from an injection to a massage, and the exact details will likely remain a mystery.
Darrisaw sat out the first two games of the season, leading to a significant downgrade at the left side for first-time starter J.J. McCarthy. Then, injuries piled up along the offensive line, but Darrisaw made his comeback in Week 3.
The Vikings were able to limit his snaps because the game was practically over at halftime. In Week 4, Darrisaw played every snap in Dublin’s NFL debut. A week later, he had a snap limit of 40 and was replaced in the second half against the Cleveland Browns.
He also played the entire game on Sunday, and because it is a short week, there might not be enough time to get the knee back to its desired strength.
If we know one thing about this regime, it’s that star players are held out if there’s any doubt.
Of the starters, the Vikings will be without quarterback McCarthy, who seems to be in the final stages of his recovery from a high ankle sprain, and center Ryan Kelly remains on IR following his second concussion of the season. On defense, Andrew Van Ginkel will be missed for another game. Aaron Jones might return from his IR stint.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.