Kevin O’Connell Dishes Out Positive Injury News Ahead Of Week 9

The Minnesota Vikings are at an important juncture in their season. The team sitting below .500 after seven games, at 3-4: not an ideal spot, but one that certainly recoverable.

But two more losses could mean that the team becomes essentially removed from playoff contention altogether, barring a borderline miracle.

Perhaps even more noteworthy, the team are going with quarterback JJ McCarthy, who has now seemingly fully recovered from his high ankle sprain suffered in week 2, ahead of backup, Carson Wentz.

A key to McCarthy’s success will be his protection on the offensive line – a unit that has been very banged up for Minnesota over the course of the season so far.

The Vikings Have Suffered Multiple Injuries On The Offensive Line

Center, Ryan Kelly is on injured reserve, and both bookend tackles, Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, have been battling knee injuries. O’Neill originally suffered his during the first London game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, whilst Darrisaw is managing to gradually return from an ACL tear suffered last October in 2024.

Both have been listed officially questionable for Sunday’s all-important divisional game at the Detroit Lions, but the good news is that – per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert – head coach, Kevin O’Connell is optimistic that both will be able to participate come the weekend.

“O’Connell sounds optimistic about Darrisaw and O’Neill getting to Sunday.” Seifert reported in a post on X on Sunday.

O’Neill missed last Thursday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, whilst Darrisaw started the match but was forced to have his night end early due to an aggravation of the same knee injury that saw him miss half of last season and the start of this one.

More to follow…

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