Vikings HC Reveals Some Good O-Line News, Some Bad

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Donovan Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Although the Minnesota Vikings season is effectively over at 4-8, they still have five games to left play. It appears J.J. McCarthy will be back under center this weekend after Max Brosmer’s disastrous debut. Unfortunately, injury concerns continue to shape Kevin O’Connell’s season.

Last weekend, the Vikings were once again without their full complement of starting offensive linemen, a recurring problem. Unfortunately it looks like that trend could continue on Sunday, even though some offensive firepower may return.

Offensive line remains a question for MN Vikings

Both Christian Darrisaw and Donovan Jackson have been question marks since leaving the game against Green Bay. Jackson didn’t play last weekend against the Seattle Seahawks, and both players will have designations worth monitoring this week.

“Donovan is not quite there yet from a standpoint of participating in practice, but he’s rapidly recovering and doing everything in his power to be on the field. It’s been awesome to see, and we’ll see how that works towards the end of the week. He’s proven, coming off the wrist surgery earlier this year, he can go out there and play at a pretty high level if he can get to that place where he’s stable and has the power and change of direction. Like I said Monday, the plan for Christian is to have his normal work week and flow and play in the football game.”

Kevin O’Connell

There is good news: O’Connell believes Darrisaw will play Sunday. The talented left tackle missed the Seahawks game and has played in just nine contests this season. There seems to be less optimisim, however, that Jackson will be able to suit up.

The Vikings selected Jackson 24th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. His on-field performance has been something of a mixed bag, and like Darrisaw, he has appeared in only nine games. If quarterback J.J. McCarthy is going to succeed, doing so behind a healthy offensive line will be a critical part of the equation.

Outside of the offensive line, O’Connell also noted that the 21-day practice window would be opened for runningback Ty Chandler. Chandler has been out since Week 1 and can add a spark on offense and special teams.

Chandler fell out of favor in the offensive rotation, but he returned three kicks for 84 yards in the season opener, including the critical late-game return that sealed Minnesota’s win over the Chicago Bears.

He may have lost the job to rookie Myles Price, though Price has made costly mistakes in recent weeks. Chandler could have an opportunity to reclaim his role down the stretch. This is the final year of his rookie contract, after he was drafted in the fifth round in 2022.

Joaquin Davis, a rookie wide receiver released by the Denver Broncos in August, has been added to the practice squad to provide depth after Adam Thielen’s departure to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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