The Minnesota Vikings have lost their standout left tackle, Christian Darrisaw, for the remainder of the 2024 campaign. Darrisaw suffered a torn ACL and MLC in his left knee and will have season-ending surgery.
Darrisaw got hurt late in the first half of a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday. He was making a block on the running play when LA’s safety Jaylen McCollough tumbled and fell down on the back of his knee.
Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed the nature of Darrisaw’s injury during a chat with reporters on Friday.
“He’d really developed into one of our core leaders, clearly one of our offensive pillars that we have leaned on a lot,” O’Connell said. “It’s going to be a significant loss, but we’ve all got to do a little more, and it starts with me.”
The Vikings drafted Darrisaw with the 23rd overall pick in 2021, and it became quickly clear that they have a future star at the left tackle position. The Virginia Tech product became a starter in his rookie year and demonstrated a remarkable ability to protect the quarterback as well as contribute in the running game. He signed a four-year, $113 million extension with the franchise this past offseason.
With Darrisaw out, veteran David Quessenberry will likely step into his role. There is also a possibility that the Vikings slot left guard Blake Brandel at left tackle or give an opportunity to rookie Walter Rouse.
