After finishing the game for the Vikings on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium, rookie left guard Donovan Jackson flew to Los Angeles and underwent successful wrist surgery on Monday.
The announcement from head coach Kevin O’Connell came as a surprise externally because Jackson performed very well for the Vikings in the 48-10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. It didn’t come as a surprise internally because Jackson actually suffered the injury last week in the 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
“It was determined last week that he could play in the football game and not do any further harm,” O’Connell said. “I thought Donovan was fantastic on the field.”
As much as he praised Jackson for the toughness he displayed, O’Connell also made it clear that the Vikings felt it was important that he had wrist surgery so he’d be back to 100 percent sooner rather than later.
“I’m sure he would possibly try to fight through it and worry about everything later,” O’Connell said. “Sometimes we have to do what’s in the best interest of a really talented young player who we have really high aspirations for in the present and in the future.”
This isn’t expected to keep Jackson out long term. In fact, he won’t even be placed on injured reserve, which suggests that the Vikings believe he should be able to return within the next month or so.
As he works his way through the recovery process, Jackson will travel with his teammates across the pond, meaning he will be in attendance when the Vikings play the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin and the Cleveland Browns in London.
Though there isn’t a firm timeline as to when he will be back in action, O’Connell mentioned the bye week as a target, meaning Jackson might be ready to roll when the Vikings host the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 19.
In the absence of Jackson for at least the next couple of games, the Vikings will turn to veteran left guard Blake Brandel, who has familiarity in that spot, having played there last season.
As soon as Jackson is healthy, he will reassume that role on the starting offensive line.
“He’s off to a great start in his career,” O’Connell said. “Everything we hoped he would be.”
Briefly
After serving his suspension in full, receiver Jordan Addison has officially been reinstated. As a part of the process, the Vikings got a brief roster exemption. They will have to make a corresponding roster move on Wednesday at some point.
Related Articles
Takeaways from the Vikings’ 48-10 win over the Bengals
Shipley: Is it too early for a Vikings quarterback controversy?
Isaiah Rodgers leads Vikings to blowout win over Bengals
The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 3: Last-minute moves
Harrison Smith and Christian Darrisaw returned for Vikings against Bengals
Leave a Reply