The Minnesota Vikings will not have offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw for the season opener against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football.
In addition to Darrisaw, the Vikings inactive list includes QB Max Brosmer, safety Harrison Smith, RB Zavier Scott, guard Joe Huber and defensive lineman Evan Williams, the Vikings announced.
Minnesota made one roster move ahead of the game, elevating wide receiver Tim Jones to the active roster from the practice squad. The 27-year-old has spent his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and has 17 catches in 51 games. He also has six career tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams.
The Bears will be very shorthanded in the secondary as their inactive list includes starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson and nickelback Kyler Gordon, along with QB Case Keenum, RB Roschon Johnson, LB T.J. Edwards, OL Kiran Amegadjie and DL Shemar Turner.
The Bears elevated linebacker Carl Jones Jr. and defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon from their practice squad ahead of the game.
Darrisaw has been recovering from a torn MCL and ACL he suffered last October. The 2021 first round pick was able to participate fully in practices to end the week leading up to the Vikings season opener. Justin Skule and Walter Rouse will provide depth behind Darrisaw for Minnesota. He was seen working out on the field in Chicago prior to the game before it was announced he would not be playing.
The Vikings and Bears kickoff at 8:15 p.m. at Soldier Field in Chicago. The game will air on ABC and ESPN, as well as ESPN’s streaming platforms.
Safety Harrison Smith & 2 Others Were Ruled Out Heading Into Week 1
GettyVeteran safety Harrison Smith will not play in the Vikings 2025 season opener.
The Vikings previously ruled out three players, including veteran starting safety Harrison Smith. The 36-year-old Smith has been dealing with an illness, described by the team as a personal issue, during the preseason and did not travel with the team, the Vikings said.
Vikings Head Coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters after practice last week that Smith was ramping up to try to get up to speed for the game. But in the end, he’ll be held out at least for the opener.
The Vikings injury report also listed backup defensive lineman Elijah Williams and fourth-string running back Zavier Scott as out for the Bears game. Williams, an undrafted rookie out of Morgan State, is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Scott has been dealing with an ankle injury he suffered in the Vikings’ preseason finale. The 26-year-old undrafted Maine Black Bear spent the 2024 season on Minnesota’s practice squad after two years in the same role with the Colts.
The Vikings Are a 1.5-Point Favorite Over the Bears
The Vikings are a 1.5-point favorite over the Bears in J.J. McCarthy’s debut at QB. Minnesota will be shorthanded at wide receiver, with Jordan Addison suspended for 3 games to start the season after he pleaded guilty to a DUI during the offseason.
The Vikings brought back veteran WR Adam Thielen in a trade to provide to help fill in for Addison. Star wide receiver Justin Jefferson has dealt with a hamstring injury during training camp and the preseason, but while Jalen Nailor is recovering from a fractured hand. Both Jefferson and Nailor were left off the Vikings’ injury report heading into week 1.
McCarthy told Heavy on Vikings ahead of his debut, “I’ve been lucky to learn from so many great people already, from Coach [Jim] Harbaugh to Coach [Kevin] O’Connell, and now being around legends of the game. What sticks with me is the same idea: carry yourself like a pro, trust the process, and always put the team first. That advice never goes out of style, and it’s something I try to carry with me every single day.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Vikings Make Final Call on Key Offensive Lineman: Week 1 Inactives appeared first on Heavy Sports.