But the dagger of week 8 came via a season-ending Christian Darrisaw knee injury, that happened as the final seconds of the first half were taking away. Now, the Vikings can add left tackle to their list of needs, with just over one week remaining until the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline.

Every LT linked to Minnesota Vikings since Christian Darrisaw injury

While Kevin O’Connell does have at least one decent internal option, there have been plenty of outside names linked to Minnesota, as well. Here’s the full rundown of every LT currently outside the organization, who has been tied to the Vikings in one form or another, since Darrisaw’s injury.

D.J. Humphries, Free Agent

A former first round pick, Humphries has spent his entire professional career playing for the Arizona Cardinals. He has started every game he has ever played in (98), but was released prior to the 2024 season.

Injuries have been an issue, but he played at a Pro Bowl level in 2021. Albert Breer recently brought his name up as a potential fit for Minnesota, and as a free agent it’s a relatively straightforward acquisition.

Former Cardinals first-round pick D.J. Humphries, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, is visiting today with the New York Giants. The Giants lost OT Andrew Thomas to season-ending foot surgery, and Humphries played left tackle in Arizona for nine seasons. pic.twitter.com/U46eFfAvpl

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 22, 2024

Although Humphries is 30 years old, the Vikings don’t exactly need to worry about building the position for years to come. Darrisaw signed a new contract prior to this season, and should return to Pro Bowl form next season. Humphries may not yet be ready to go, but did take a recent visit to the Giants and should be close to available.

Related: 5 Christian Darrisaw Injury Replacements for the Minnesota Vikings

David Bakhtiari, Free Agent

Similarities between Bakhtiari and Humphries are significant. Both are current free agents, that have dealt with injuries, and have played their entire career for a single team. The Vikings know Bakhtiari well as the former Green Bay Packers guard has 131 career NFL starts.

David Bakhtiari announced that he is being released by the Green Bay Packers #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/vDSouA5Yop

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 11, 2024

He too is a name brought up by Breer. Bakhtiari is a bit of a dice roll as he has been limited to just 13 games the past three seasons, and he just turned 33 years old. If the veteran wants to give it another go for a team with legitimate playoff aspirations, then staying in a division he knows well could make sense.

Related: Report: Minnesota Vikings Will Wait Another Week to Decide NFL Trade Deadline Plans

Charles Leno Jr., Free Agent

Another free agent that Breer thinks the Vikings could kick the tires on is Charles Leno Jr. At 33 years old he is the same age as Bakhtiari but there isn’t much of an injury history to worry about. Leno Jr. spent the bulk of his career with the Chicago Bears prior to playing for Washington the past three seasons.

BREAKING NEWS: Charles Leno Jr has officially accepted a new role as a stay at home dad 🤪 Nurse Jen activated ✅😂

Thanks for everything Washington! Y’all have embraced our family with open arms these past 3 years through some super difficult times & we will forever love yall! pic.twitter.com/3MLOI9Rk8b

— Jen Leno (@jennifermleno72) March 1, 2024

Last season did end with Leno Jr. playing in just 13 games as he dealt with a hip issue. Ultimately it required surgery in March, and that led to his release by the Commanders. A clean bill of health should be the expectation at this point, and he could easily slot in as an immediate starter.

Brady Christensen, Carolina Panthers

The only trade target on this list is a name that Alec Lewis highlighted for The Athletic. Christensen hasn’t played tackle in the NFL consistently since his first season. However, he is a polished guard, and just 28-years-old. With a contract extension, he would fill an emergency need in 2024, plus fix their right guard spot, in the long run. That may make him the most intriguing option of the bunch.

It remains to be seen what the Panthers would ask for in exchange. Christensen has been relegated to backup duties for Carolina, and they are an awful team at this point. Minnesota making a two-player deal that includes Adam Thielen as well could be a lot of fun.

#Panthers C Brady Christensen vs. Commanders

1. Beat on initial rush, shows effort to wash out 94 in pass pro.

2. Good drive off the ball + pad level/leverage to drive into the dirt.

3 and 4. Second level ability, functional quickness, and work off duo block to LB. pic.twitter.com/nhZs6GFkf1

— Jared Feinberg (@JRodNFLDraft) October 23, 2024

Related: Local Insider Identifies Two Intriguing Minnesota Vikings Trade Targets

There is also the possibility that the Vikings do nothing, to add OL help, and instead slide Blake Brandel back over to left tackle. That’s probably the path of least resistance and would be a straightforward way to address the position. That scenario does leave Ed Ingram still starting, and exposes Dalton Risner’s lacking skills in run blocking scenarios.

Related: Minnesota Vikings May Already Have Their New Left Tackle on Roster

Minnesota is quickly approaching a tilt against the Indianapolis Colts and they’ll need to figure out their decision soon.

The Vikings could stick with David Quessenberry, but he’s 34 years old and hasn’t made more than four starts since 2021. Chances are, the Vikings will look to add another left tackle, but who?

Related: Uh Oh… Vikings WR Jordan Addison Appears Unhappy

Vikings could sign former first-round pick LT D.J. Humphries

Another potential free agent option the Vikings could turn to is D.J. Humphries. While he’s not a big name, he is proven. Humphries is still relatively young, at 30 years old, unlike a few others on this list. His best days are behind him, but it was just two years ago when he became a first-time Pro Bowl tackle.

Check out this #killshot by Left Tackle DJ Humphries of the @AZCardinals #inthetrenches @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/lxrmylpCHe

— AQ Shipley (@aqshipley) September 21, 2022

Yet, once the Cardinals selected young left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the sixth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Humphries’ future in Arizona became in question. One year later, he remains unsigned. Yet, Humphries is a serviceable player who graded 67th among tackles last season.

Yet, replacing Darrisaw, who graded as the 10th-best tackle prior to his injury, with one who ranked 67th would be a significant drop-off, and there are likely better options available.

Related: Vegas Still Believes in Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell

Former Pro Bowl LT Charles Leno could sign with Vikings

There are many different avenues the Vikings could take to replace Darrisaw in the starting lineup. With just three 2025 draft picks to trade, the first option the front office could evaluate is signing a free agent. One of the top remaining linemen available, is one-time Pro Bowl left tackle Charles Leno.

He’s started 141 of the 149 games he’s appeared in since becoming a seventh-round pick back in 2014, but the 33-year-old has yet to find a team for this season. It’s hard to understand why, considering he graded as the 32nd-best tackle in football last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Related: Wait… the Minnesota Vikings Eat How Many Uncrustables?

Leno especially excelled in pass protection, where he earned a strong 77.8 pass block grade, good for 24th among tackles. The only team Leno has been linked to since becoming a free agent this past offseason is the Patriots, to which he wasn’t interested. It’s easy to see why the veteran doesn’t want to play for a 1-6 team, but starting for a 5-2 Vikings squad could be a different story.

Jaguars could trade left tackle Cam Robinson to Vikings

If the Vikings are willing to eat some of his $16.2 million salary, Jacksonville’s Cam Robinson could become an intriguing option. He is currently the Jaguars’ starting left tackle, but they’re 2-5, and they have 2021 second-round pick Walker Little waiting in the wings.

Robinson is earning respectable grades per PFF, ranking 32nd among tackles this season. Many linemen are good at either run blocking or pass protection, but Robinson is effective in both areas. Below, you see him race down to make the key block on a screen for the Jaguars.

Cam Robinson has turned into Trent Williams, no wonder the Jags offense is booming pic.twitter.com/oY6nyG2X1S

— Nico (@elitetakes_) October 2, 2022

• Cam Robinson PFF grades: 32nd-best tackle, 38th-best pass-blocking tackle, 48th-best run-blocking tackle

Since he’s a free agent at the end of the season, Jacksonville would likely be open to trading their starting left tackle, especially if the Vikings pony up and pay most of his remaining salary. In fact, some are already encouraging the Vikings to swing a trade with Jacksonville.

Related: The Adam Thielen to Minnesota Vikings Trade Rumors are Here

Vikings could buy low on Carolina’s Brady Christensen

One trade candidate who’s flying a bit under the radar is Carolina’s Brady Christensen. Stuck on a losing Panthers team that’s currently 1-6, Christensen has been relegated to a backup role across the last two seasons, drawing just three starts, and appearing in eight games.

However, Christensen’s appeal comes as a versatile lineman who has NFL experience at all five starting positions along the line. Though, it’s pretty obvious where the Vikings need him most. Trading for Christensen now could accomplish two goals at once.

The 28-year-old would not only become the team’s starting left tackle, it would also give the Vikings a chance to see if they want the former third-round pick to be a part of their long-term future. Christensen is an upcoming free agent, and some local birdies are already linking him to Minnesota.

Related: Justin Jefferson Breaks Another Randy Moss Receiving Record

David Bakhtiari may be the best option for Minnesota Vikings

You knew we had to save the best for last. Easily the biggest name out there is two-time All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari. Sure, he’s played every snap of his career as a member of the Green Bay Packers, but if he’s still looking to get back out there, why not join a top contender again?

Green Bay doesn’t currently need a starting left tackle, and the same is true in New York, where his former QB Aaron Rodgers now calls home. So, if the 33-year-old, oft-injured Pro Bowl tackle is simply biding his time, waiting for the perfect opportunity, he may not find a better chance to join a contender than teaming up with the Vikings.

Fake jump set via David Bakhtiari. 301 level tackle play. pic.twitter.com/sYNxLoDSKi

— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 2, 2024

Of course, Bakhtiari comes with injury concerns. Two of his past three seasons ended before he could even play two games. Yet, if the Vikings’ doctors can give him a clean bill of health after taking training camp off, Bakhtiari just might be the perfect person to help replace Darrisaw for the rest of this season.