Darrisaw to IR

[purplefaithful]

The Vikings will play the remainder of the season without left tackle Christian Darrisaw, whom coach Kevin O’Connell announced Friday will be moved to injured reserve due to the 2024 knee injury he has spent all year working back from.

O’Connell said the decision was collaborative between Darrisaw and staff following “a lot of dialogue and good discussion” this week.

O’Connell said Wednesday the team was still taking Darrisaw’s injury “a day at a time” when asked if he would be shut down for the season.

Darrisaw did not practice this week. He has not gone through a full day of practice since Dec. 5 but practiced in limited fashion Dec. 12.

Darrisaw tore multiple ligaments in his knee in October 2024 against the Rams. He made his 2025 season debut and initial return from the injury in Week 3 and has started 10 games, though he did not play all of them in full.

“It’s been a complex injury that he had,” O’Connell said. “I’ve admired the way Christian has attacked this and wanting to be out there for every possible snap he could be with his teammates. I know he’s gonna get off to a great start with his preparation for 2026 and put this behind him.”

O’Connell said there was no setback in Darrisaw’s recovery or new injury that forced the move to IR, calling it a “unique year” for the fifth-year player. He added in a separate answer that Darrisaw’s workload and the upcoming short week with the Vikings playing Christmas Day made this “the best decision for Christian in the short term.”

STRIB

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Could be w/out both OT's this week...

The Vikings also listed right tackle Brian O’Neill as questionable because of a heel injury he suffered against the Cowboys. O’Neill was limited during practice Thursday and Friday after not practicing Wednesday.

Blake Brandel would start in O’Neill’s place if necessary.

[greediron]

better give Brandel a pay raise, I think he has played 4 of the 5 positions.

[JimmyinSD]

better give Brandel a pay raise, I think he has played 4 of the 5 positions.

I agree, even though he isnt a free agent until after next year,  he has shown enough this year to reward and lock down.  I would say offer him low current starter money for an IOL on a  deal that would add 3 years to his current deal.  Odds are that even if he ends up being a back up,  he still ends up playing enough downs to make it a value contract over that term.  If he wants to bet on himself we still have the ability to franchise if he blows up,  but I would say that we should look to draft (26) IOL in case somebody outbids in free agency so we arent stuck in 27 offseason with no experienced IOL candidate to replace him.

[medaille]

We're already paying expensive veteran money at 4 of the 5 OL positions. But I wouldn't feel bad paying him to start at Center if Kelly retires.

[Mattyman]

Brandel has started regular season games at all 5 positions except right tackle.

He did start at RT in a preseason game this year versus raiders.


Sunday at New York he's starting at right tackle

IMHO over the next 3 games, the Vikings are gonna seriously evaluate him to be the starter at right tackle next year.

[StickierBuns]

No Darrisaw and no O'Neill possibly brings back PTSD with JJ's play. Hopefully that won't be the case.

More worrisome is I wonder what this means for Darrisaw's future? Will an offseason of rest help or is this now problematic moving forward?

[purplefaithful]

No Darrisaw and no O'Neill possibly brings back PTSD with JJ's play. Hopefully that won't be the case.

More worrisome is I wonder what this means for Darrisaw's future? Will an offseason of rest help or is this now problematic moving forward?

Yah, the OL being as short-handed as it will be is worrisome - especially against that front 4. Let's see if they can be as solid as they were against Dallas.

I've listened closely to how coaches/org have talked about Darrisaw this season. I have sniffed for the scent of long-term concern in their words, they've hidden it well if it's there at all. 

That said, Darrisaw remains a question mark for me on-going till he isnt.

[MaroonBells]

better give Brandel a pay raise, I think he has played 4 of the 5 positions.

Brandel has been a valuable player for us this season. There was a stretch of three games mid-year when his pass blocking grade at center never dipped below 78. Michael Jurgens was terrible early on, but really settled in later, at least in terms of PFF grade. I'm curious which will have the inside track on the backup center position going in to 2026.

[MaroonBells]

Brandel has been a valuable player for us this season. There was a stretch of three games mid-year when his pass blocking grade at center never dipped below 78. Michael Jurgens was terrible early on, but really settled in later, at least in terms of PFF grade. I'm curious which will have the inside track on the backup center position going in to 2026.

And now this is an even bigger question with Kelly going down with his upteenth concussion. If he doesn't retire, he should probably get his head examined. 

Curious to see what the Vikings do at center in 2026. Jurgens went in over Brandel, which I thought was interesting. I saw Jurgens get beat up the middle once, but didn't really notice him, good or bad, the rest of the day.

[purplefaithful]

And now this is an even bigger question with Kelly going down with his upteenth concussion. If he doesn't retire, he should probably get his head examined. 

Curious to see what the Vikings do at center in 2026. Jurgens went in over Brandel, which I thought was interesting. I saw Jurgens get beat up the middle once, but didn't really notice him, good or bad, the rest of the day.

Kelly is now a liability...Ok, thats extreme but he needs to hang-up the cleats and take-up some gardening. 

C is a huge need for us next season and I hate starting a rook at that position too.