Vikings Quietly Rule Out Starting Lineman
The entire Vikings universe has been focusing on the quarterback position. Unlike during the Kirk Cousins days, the QB1 job has been quite the carousel this season, with J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz sharing the first 11 games, and Max Brosmer set to start on Sunday.
Vikings Quietly Rule Out Starting Lineman
In the QBs’ shadows, the Vikings will also be without one of their top-five blockers. Rookie Donovan Jackson was ruled out on Friday. He’ll miss the matchup against Seattle’s strong interior offensive line due to an ankle injury he picked up last Sunday when the Green Bay Packers dominated the Vikings.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Saturday evening, “Donovan Jackson, a first-round pick who’s having a strong rookie season, is considered week-to-week. Hopes to play next week but that’s not a guarantee, depends how ankle responds. Minnesota has been depleted up front all year.”
Jackson was selected in the first round of April’s draft. The Vikings had previously already replaced right guard Ed Ingram and center Garrett Bradbury with a pair of free agents from the Colts, Will Fries and Ryan Kelly. To complete the overhaul, Jackson was acquired. His job was to push veteran Blake Brandel to the bench.
Instead of addressing long-term weaknesses along the defensive line or in the secondary, the Vikings thought they could get their hands on a starting guard, a player who could be the starter at left guard for a decade.
Through the majority of his rookie season, there’s enough to like about the first-year player to be happy with the pick.
The one asterisk is his injury resume. Jackson will miss his third game of the season after sitting out the two European contests. He had to undergo wrist surgery at that time. Granted, nobody can question his toughness, as he willingly declined the suggestion to have the surgery before the Bengals game. He played through that entire game with the wrist injury — and linemen surely need their arms.
“Couldn’t get any worse, that was my mindset,” Jackson claimed in October. “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.”
He’ll once again be replaced by backup lineman Blake Brandel. The veteran is the ultimate versatile blocker, as he entered the NFL as an offensive tackle, moved to guard a couple of years ago and even started most games at center this season.
Brandel has proven to be one of the most valuable players for the Minnesota Vikings because of his ability to step in wherever a backup is needed. He played the left guard position last year and lost his job to Jackson.
Sure, he wasn’t perfect in his one year as a starter, but he was good enough to feel confident in his ability as an alternate and fill-in starter.
Jackson’s next chance to take the field will come next week when the Vikings host the Washington Commanders. He’ll turn 23 next week.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.