Major Christian Darrisaw News Just In
Training camp has kicked off for the Minnesota Vikings. Rookies and some select veterans reported Sunday, and the remaining athletes joined them Tuesday. In the next few weeks, the coaching staff will implement schemes and plays and construct the best possible 53-man roster for the 2025 campaign.
Major Christian Darrisaw News Just In
Injuries are sadly part of the game, but the Vikings got some excellent injury news on Tuesday when head coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gave a press conference.
Vikings writer Lindsey Young summarized on the team’s official website: “Left tackle Christian Darrisaw and right guard Will Fries, both of whom have been rehabbing injuries, will open training camp without injury designations, Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah confirmed Tuesday.”
Only rookie tight end Gavin Bartholomew and undrafted first-year defender Chaz Chambliss were put on the Active/PUP list.
Fries suffered a fractured tibia in Week 5 of last season and missed the remainder of his fourth year with the Colts. In free agency, the Vikings made a big splash by handing him a five-year contract, as they hope he can help overcome the ongoing guard struggles in the Twin Cities.
Fellow offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw has already established himself as one of the premier blockers in football, but a torn ACL stopped his 2024 season just short of the halfway mark. His availability in the season opener remains in question, but his participation at least partially is a good sign.
The third player in that boat is wideout Rondale Moore. The undersized speedster suffered a severe knee injury last training camp.
O’Connell praised the trio: “I want to highlight the work they put in this summer to put themselves in a position to be out on the grass practicing, all in different capacities. We are very pleased with where those guys are at and, you know, their timelines to fully returning to daily participation.”
O’Connell added Darrisaw “will likely participate in individual drills to start out and progress from there,” and he will “work into some of the combination periods, working across from some of our defensive players.”
The club’s plan for the franchise tackle remains fluid, however.
“When that happens, the timeline will all be predicated on, basically we have a plan in place, but we have to be [prepared] to adapt and adjust based upon how he’s responding,” O’Connell added, “but based upon how he’s attacked this whole process, which, once again, I cannot give him any more credit. Hopefully I’ve emphasized that enough, because he has been phenomenal — his presence in the building every day — and this is all part of the plan that was set in motion a long time ago.”
An early return would be ideal for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who is expected to step onto the field for the first time in Week 1. Having proper protection up front is crucial for any passer, but especially relevant for an inexperienced one.
The former Colts linemen Fries and center Ryan Kelly will be supported by rookie first-rounder Donovan Jackson, and can hopefully stabilize the interior offensive line. At tackle, it’ll be (as always) Brian O’Neill and either Darrisaw or a replacement. Justin Skule was signed in free agency to be that alternate on the left side.
Darrisaw signed a huge contract extension last offseason, and the Vikings will undoubtedly play it safe with their franchise player rather than accelerating his timeline. He’s too important in the long run.
There will be plenty of injury updates in the following weeks. For now, the 26-year-old is in a decent spot.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.