Vikings Get Unfortunate Injury Update on $104 Million Starter

The Minnesota Vikings will be whole again on offense at some point relatively early in the upcoming season, though probably not by the time they square off against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Monday Night Football in Week 1. 

Alec Lewis of The Athletic noted that starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was on a Pro-Bowl track before suffering ACL and MCL tears mid-season against the Los Angeles Rams, has moved admirably through his rehabilitation to this point. However, Darrisaw is unlikely to be ready to roll without restrictions come September 8. 

"Will he be back in time for Week 1? That’s probably a rosy expectation at this point," Lewis wrote on Wednesday, July 2. "Still, Darrisaw has attacked his rehab. The Vikings have commended his progress."

Darrisaw recently signed a four-year contract extension worth $104 million that begins in 2026. 

As soon as he returns to the lineup, Darrisaw will serve as the pass-blocking anchor on a retooled offensive line in Minnesota that includes rookie Donovan Jackson (left guard), the No. 24 overall pick in the first round out of Ohio State, as well as free-agent signings Will Fries (right guard) and Ryan Kelly (center). 

Fries inked a five-year agreement for $88 million total, while Kelly signed a two-year contract for $18 million . Both started for the Indianapolis Colts last season.

Pro Football Focus rated Darrisaw the 20th-best pass blocker in the NFL last season out of 120 tackles (both sides of the line) who played enough snaps to qualify for a ranking. PFF dubbed Darrisaw the sixth-best run blocker at the position and the No. 11 tackle overall in 2024.