Kevin O’Connell Confirms His Emergency Tackle Duo
With left tackle Christian Darrisaw already ruled out and right tackle Brian O’Neill listed as questionable in the final injury report, head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed Friday that Justin Skule and Blake Brandel would serve as the Vikings’ emergency tackle duo.
O’Connell Details Backup Tackle Plan
As we move into the final three-game stretch of the season against the Giants, Lions, and Packers, the Minnesota Vikings will not have left tackle Christian Darrisaw available anymore. He was placed on IR on Friday and will sit out the remainder of the season.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill is listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report with a heel injury. He didn’t log a full practice and his availability is in jeopardy.
O’Connell stepped in front of the local media on Friday and confirmed in his presser that Blake Brandel would start at right tackle if O’Neill can’t go, while Justin Skule will register his seventh start on Sunday.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reported from the press conference, “In addition to LT Christian Darrisaw going to injured reserve, the Vikings said that RT Brian O’Neill (heel) is questionable for Sunday after being limited in practice. Blake Brandel would start for O’Neill if he can’t play, Kevin O’Connell said.”
Brandel has already completed his career bingo, playing snaps at all five positions of the offensive line.
He entered the league as a left tackle and played mostly as a sixth offensive lineman and extra blocker under Mike Zimmer. Once O’Connell arrived, Brandel was the backup left tackle, replacing Darrisaw a few times in 2022.
In 2023, Brandel was moved to backup guard and he started the entire 2024 campaign at left guard. Donovan Jackson’s draft selection moved him to the bench, but he surprisingly carved out a role as Ryan Kelly’s replacement at center, starting eight contests this year. Last week, Brandel finished the game at left tackle once O’Neill left the game.
His versatility and reliability have quietly turned him into one of the most valuable players on the team this season.
Skule was signed in March and was expected to step in until Darrisaw completed his return from the torn ACL. To start the season, veteran Skule was in the starting lineup in Week 1 and Week 2, but was pushed to the sidelines in Week 3 when Darrisaw celebrated his comeback.
Unfortunately, Darrisaw has never gotten completely healthy throughout the year and ultimately landed on IR on Friday. Skule has competed in 13 games this season, starting six.
Missing both starting tackles could derail most quarterbacks, but young starter McCarthy could be even more susceptible to those concerns in only his ninth start. He has shown his tendency to hold the ball relatively long in the pocket. Getting that out quickly is a major key for him as he wants to post his third straight good game.
Darrisaw is out, Skule will start. O’Neill is questionable and has shown a willingness to play through injuries in the past. If he can’t suit up, Brandel would log his first career start at right tackle.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.