Kevin Seifert
EAGAN, Minn. — The Vikings have dominated out three outstanding gamers, together with left deal with Christian Darrisaw, for Sunday evening's recreation towards the Atlanta Falcons. Minnesota may even be with out linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and cornerback Jeff Okudah, who're working their method by means of the NFL's concussion protocol.
Darrisaw's scenario is uncommon. Every week in the past, the Vikings listed him as questionable for his or her regular-season opener on the Chicago Bears, that means his possibilities to play had been 50%. Darrisaw went by means of a pregame exercise at Soldier Area earlier than the crew declared him inactive.
Coach Kevin O'Connell mentioned Friday that Darrisaw had not suffered a setback in his return from a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee, an damage he suffered 323 days in the past on Oct. 24, 2024. As a substitute, O'Connell attributed the change in damage standing to NFL insurance policies concerning gamers which can be eligible for pregame exercises on recreation fields.
“There was a considered wanting to simply guarantee that we accomplished the weekly course of,” O'Connell mentioned, “particularly figuring out that we had the additional day after which permitting Christian to go really feel the environment and begin getting his thoughts in that place the place he might go, and it was a complete constructive from that standpoint. He continues to progress, and with the damage he had, he is nonetheless up to now forward of schedule and it is such a terrific place on the day by day that we simply need to proceed that. And as I've advised Christian and our medical workers many, many occasions, firstly, the primary precedence will all the time be what's in one of the best curiosity, not solely within the current for certain, however extra importantly in the long run for the participant.”
The NFL coverage, obtained by ESPN, is in place to reduce pregame put on and tear on fields. It prohibits “apply squad gamers and those that is not going to be on the sport day lively checklist” from understanding on the sphere “except such exercise is performed for the aim of figuring out a participant's availability for the sport.” The coverage continues: “For the avoidance of doubt, the usage of the taking part in discipline floor shall be restricted to lively gamers, and actions carried out by gamers who've the potential to be activated on recreation day.”
The wording of the coverage suggests the Vikings thought Darrisaw had an opportunity to play towards the Bears, however not towards the Falcons, after they filed their ultimate damage report of the respective weeks. O'Connell had a one-word reply when requested if Darrisaw's restoration and potential return had been set again.
“Nope,” O'Connell mentioned.
