Kevin O’Connell Reveals Worrisome News on Vikings Injury Report

The Minnesota Vikings will not play tomorrow, as the rest of the NFL opens the 2025 season with a flurry of Sunday games. Instead, we have to wait until Monday Night Football, where they will open the JJ McCarthy era under the national spotlight, in Chicago against the division-rival Bears.

McCarthy is healthy, both physically and mentally, after a full year of recovery from the meniscus he tore in his right knee last Summer, during the 2024 Vikings’ first preseason game. So is Justin Jefferson, who has not been on the injury report all week, after he missed most of training camp and all of the preseason due to a hamstring injury.

Minnesota Vikings injury report still featuring key starters

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for other key starters on roster, a conversation that starts with JJ’s All-Pro caliber left tackle, Christian Darrisaw — who suffered a season-ending knee injury of his own las year — has been in and out of practice this week.

Then, there’s veteran safety Harrison Smith, who came down with an unknown illness in late August that he has yet to fully recover from. After not practicing Wednesday or Thursday, Harry was on the Vikings status report for Friday’s simulated walkthrough as “limited”, presenting some hope that he’d be able to play Monday night.

On Saturday, however, head coach Kevin O’Connell came to his final presser of the week with some bad news. Smith will enter the weekend as “doubtful”. Mentally, the 36-year-old is ready. Physically, KOC told reporters this afternoon, the 6x Pro Bowler isn’t there yet.

O’Connell also updated the media crowd on Christian Darrisaw, who will be listed as “questionable”. Saturday marked the 26-year-old‘s second-straight day of practicing in full. That makes three of four full practices this week for the Virginia Tech big man, who received a rest day on Thursday and did not practice.

Further down the depth chart, defensive back Zavier Scott has officially been ruled out, as has defensive lineman, Elijah Williams, two standouts from the preseason and throughout training camp.

Here was Kevin O'Connell's full update on both Harrison Smith and Christian Darrisaw from Saturday afternoon:

– Smith was limited at practice today and is officially listed as "doubtful" for Monday
– Darrisaw practiced in full and is listed as "questionable" pic.twitter.com/UUEEWZZiQa

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) September 6, 2025

“Harrison Smith did take part in practice today on a limited basis. He’ll have a doubtful game status designation. Um, and Xavier Scott and Elijah Williams will be out for the football game, and Christian Darrisaw will be questionable after getting in a full day today. So, uh, other than that, no other players will go in with designations.”

“[Harrison Smith] probably did a little more than I expected today. Um, which was really encouraging. Um, but yeah, it’s just a matter of, uh, you know, time back on the grass. It’s it’s definitely not mental. Uh, you know, he’s, uh, he’s been doing this long enough to stay sharp. Uh, but, yeah, it’s more of a physical ramp up for him as as we move forward.”

Kevin O’Connell gives Vikings injury update on Saturday afternoon

Monday Night Football injury expectations vs hopes…

While Smith may not be the secondary sniper he was in his prime, this might be the most important season opener of his career, when it comes to his importance to holding the Minnesota Vikings defense together.

Related: How Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Saved Himself from Pandemic-Induced Depression

O’Connell alluded to this during his press conference, but Smith’s football brain is doing just fine. And that is what defensive coordinator Brian Flores needs in Chicago most, because this is one of the most inexperienced groups of defensive backs the Vikings have put together in some time.

Take Harrison Smith out and Minnesota will have no choice but to keep pressure on Caleb Williams all night, or likely pay the consequences down the field.

If I was a betting man (I am), I’d put my money on Darrisaw playing on Monday. Obviously, that confidence is not in the same place regarding Harrison Smith. And that is really bad news for the Minnesota Vikings.

“I just I can’t say enough about the work [Christian Darrisaw has] put in and to have the type of camp he’s had, and to even have it be something where Christian and I, you know, can can make a decision, [based on] what’s in Christian’s best interest, but also understanding, like, this guy’s done everything in his power to to give himself an opportunity for that conversation, and we’re going to have that.”

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. And, and then ultimately it’s, you know, it’s going to be something where this guy has earned the right, uh, in our organization, you know, with the, you know, the snaps. He’s not only given me since I’ve been the head coach here, but but before that as well.”

Kevin O’Connell on Christian Darrisaw’s status for Monday

#MINvsCHI final injury report

OUT: Zavier Scott and Elijah Williams

DOUBTFUL: Harrison Smith

QUESTIONABLE: Christian Darrisaw pic.twitter.com/7IbuPOIiDB

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 6, 2025