All eyes were on star left tackle Christian Darrisaw last week as the Vikings prepared for a prime time game against the Chicago Bears. He went through an intense workout with offensive line coach Chris Kuper in the hours leading up to kickoff before ultimately being ruled out.
Maybe, some figured, the Vikings simply didn’t want to risk Darrisaw returning from torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on the iffy playing surface at Soldier Field. The assumption was that he would be ready to go against Atlanta on Sunday night at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Not quite.
After showing up on the injury report as a limited participant twice this week, Darrisaw was ruled out for the game against the Falcons. That raised a red flag considering he was listed as questionable last week.
Asked if Darrisaw had suffered a setback, head coach Kevin O’Connell replied, “Nope.”
He went on to explain that the Vikings wouldn’t have been able to let Darrisaw go through those simulated reps with Kuper last week unless he was listed as questionable.
“It was a total positive,” O’Connell said. “(It was) just allowing Christian to go feel the atmosphere and start getting his mind in that place where he could go.”
It’s still unclear when Darrisaw will make his highly anticipated return.
“He continues to progress,” O’Connell said. “He’s still so far ahead of schedule, and is in such a great place on the daily, that we want to continue that.”
As eager as everybody is to have Darrisaw protecting the blindside of young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, O’Connell emphasized that the Vikings are approaching this situation with a focus on the long term rather than the short term.
“We’re going to continue to work through it the right way as we kind of like to handle everything around here,” O’Connell said. “There’s really not much more that I can say at this time that would be of any use.”
Smith inactive
After being listed as questionable this week, veteran safety Harrison Smith was inactive. He continues to work his way back from a personal health issue that dates back to training camp.
The Vikings’ other inactives were Darrisaw, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, cornerback Jeff Okudah, linebacker Austin Keys, left guard Joe Huber and quarterback Max Brosmer, who was available on an emergency basis.
Allen honored
It’s fitting that former Vikings defensive end Jared Allen led the Skol chant and sounded the Gjallarhorn before kickoff following his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last month. He also was scheduled to be recognized at halftime with a ceremony in his honor.
J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings is stopped on fourth down by Kaden Elliss #55 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Owner and President Mark Wilf of the Minnesota Vikings, left, and owner and chairman Zygi Wilf, right, pose with former player Jared Allen before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
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