Sam Darnold (14), Minnesota Vikings quarterback, warming up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings got some good news on Monday after learning that quarterback Sam Darnold’s left knee injury is not serious. Tests revealed that Darnold suffered a bruise but no structural damage, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell. Darnold is expected to be available for the team’s Week 4 game against the Green Bay Packers.
“It’s a little sore,” O’Connell said. “But hoping Sam can have a normal week of preparation as we go through it.”
Strong Season Continues
Darnold has been a standout so far this season, leading the Vikings to a 3-0 start. He has thrown a league-high eight touchdown passes and ranks fifth in the NFL with a 73.1 Total QBR. This season is Darnold’s seventh in the NFL, and he’s playing for his fourth team.
Texans Game Incident
The injury occurred in the third quarter of Sunday’s 34-7 win over the Houston Texans. Darnold was hit low by Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter while attempting a pass and fell awkwardly. Hunter was penalized 15 yards for the hit.
Although Darnold initially got up, he soon sat down and was evaluated by medical staff. He briefly left the game, and backup quarterback Nick Mullens took over for one play. Darnold quickly returned, jogging back onto the field to loud cheers from the Vikings crowd.
Darnold later said the fan support “meant everything” to him. Despite his quick return, both Darnold and O’Connell were cautious, awaiting further tests to rule out any significant injury. The concern was heightened by recent memories of other serious injuries to Vikings quarterbacks, including Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tear in 2023.
Jefferson Injury
In addition to Darnold’s knee issue, Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson jammed his finger late in the second quarter on his sixth catch of the game. X-rays revealed no break, but Jefferson was targeted only twice afterward, with both passes falling incomplete. O’Connell indicated that one of the missed targets was a drop, while the other was likely the result of Darnold adjusting based on feedback from a practice rep.
The Vikings are hopeful that both Darnold and Jefferson will be ready to go for their Week 4 divisional showdown against the Packers.
This report used information from ESPN.
