Donovan Jackson Keeps Proving He’s Built Different
The Minnesota Vikings opted to fortify the offensive line in the past offseason. While it hasn’t been perfect, there certainly has been a massive boost when the crew is healthy, which unfortunately hasn’t been the case too often in 2025. A major part of the rebuilt interior line is Donovan Jackson, April’s first-round pick.
Donovan Jackson Keeps Proving He’s Built Different
Jackson made the race over other intriguing candidates, but the Vikings felt confident in the young man’s qualities and used pick 24 to acquire the blocker.
Jackson immediately claimed the starting spot, as the coaching staff didn’t even bother having a competition between him and the returning starter from a year ago, Blake Brandel. No, it was Jackson’s job from the jump, and through the first three quarters of his rookie campaign, it’s not looking like that’s going to change anytime soon.
The former Buckeye has the power and the movement skills to shield off defenders with ease, and his transition from college to the pros has been flawless. He’s been every bit as impressive as the front office hoped he would when they made the call.
Perhaps his most noteworthy attribute, however, is his toughness. He has already gotten hurt twice, but he just shrugs it off and keeps playing. For the second time this season, Jackson played in a game even his coaches didn’t expect him to.
Last week, Jackson missed practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury he picked up in the game at Green Bay, which caused him to miss the contest against Sam Darnold’s Seahawks. Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed that he wasn’t ready to practice, but left the door open for Jackson’s return in time for kickoff against the Commanders. After a couple of limited practices to finish the week, he indeed started the Week 14 contest, giving the Vikings the entire starting line for only the second time all year.
On Monday, head coach Kevin O’Connell praised his rookie, “For having worked through an injury that might hold guys out for a couple weeks, two, three weeks maybe. He would not be denied playing in the football game. Did everything he possibly could and then played well.”
Sure, it’s possible O’Connell just does what every half-decent coach does and puts a positive spin on his players. However, it’s not the first time we learn something about Jackson’s toughness. Earlier this year — in Week 2, to be exact — Jackson suffered a wrist injury that would ultimately require surgery. Guess who played in Week 3 against the Bengals despite the injury?
He then underwent surgery after the game, skipped the two European contests, and returned right after the bye week.
In the week leading up to his comeback, he revealed, “Couldn’t get any worse, that was my mindset. I was told that, yeah, it was a significant injury in terms of wrists, but they said, ‘Well, if you brace it up, you won’t have to get surgery at least for like another week.’ So I was like, ‘Oh, so I can play the game?’ They’re like, ‘Well, we don’t recommend it.’ I was like, ‘No, you said another week. I’ll be fine.’ So, played the game, did what I could to the best of my abilities, and then I was on a plane that same night.”
Jackson had a wonderful career at Ohio State, playing left guard for the majority of his time on campus. When fellow first-rounder Josh Simmons got hurt, the Buckeyes were looking for a replacement at the crucial left tackle spot, and they turned to Jackson.
Considering he was just months away from making a fortune in the draft, moving to an unfamiliar position was a significant risk. The team-first guy did it anyway, played mostly well, and was drafted in the first round.
Ten games down, Jackson has looked the part, giving Skol Nation hope that he could be the long-term left guard solution for the Minnesota Vikings. He just turned 23 last week.
On Sunday, Jackson will meet Cowboys standout defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and that will be a nice test for him.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.