Vikings injury updates from KOC on Darrisaw, O'Neill, Van Ginkel

The Vikings could really use some injury reinforcements if they're going to have a chance at pulling off the upset in J.J. McCarthy's return to action next Sunday in Detroit. They have several key players whose statuses for that game against the 5-2 Lions are up in the air.

It starts on the offensive line. Center Ryan Kelly is on IR, and the Vikings played almost all of Thursday's blowout loss against the Chargers without both of their excellent offensive tackles. Brian O'Neill, who has been dealing with an MCL sprain, wasn't able to play on a short week. Christian Darrisaw had his surgically-repaired knee flare up last Sunday against the Eagles, and while he tried to give it a go in Los Angeles, he only got through nine snaps before departing.

With nine full days off between games, it sounds like there's a chance that both O'Neill and Darrisaw could have a chance to play in Detroit if they can get to a point where their knees feel good.

"I do feel positive about where both Brian O'Neill and Christian Darrisaw are today, and hopefully,
in regards to their work week next week and leading into being available," Kevin O'Connell said on Friday.

O'Neill missed the London game before the bye with an MCL sprain, returned to play nearly 70 snaps after the bye against the Eagles, but couldn't quite turn around on a short week. In theory, he should be able to rest up and have a chance to return in Week 9.

The Darrisaw situation is more nuanced. He's still dealing with the lingering effects of the October 2024 injury that saw him tear both his ACL and MCL. The Vikings' star left tackle had a long rehab process and eventually was able to return to play in Week 3 against the Browns. But it's not as simple as Darrisaw being all the way back now. His knee remains something that needs to be monitored.

In Week 5 in London, Darrisaw left the field late in the game. He then tried to play on Thursday night, but just didn't feel right. O'Connell hopes that getting into a more traditional routine — without international trips or short weeks — should help with his availability. He called it "a pretty consistent Sunday-to-Sunday type approach."

"I think it's something where hopefully we can get back into a consistent rhythm of what Christian’s work week looks like, a rhythm of what his recovery looks like coming off of a Sunday game, and then try to consistently get him turned over because it's no secret how critical he's been to our success, how critical he's been to our consistency," O'Connell said. "I'm hoping this Sunday-to-Sunday schedule for the foreseeable future will help hopefully with getting a little bit more of 71 out there on a consistent basis."

The Vikings don't play a non-Sunday game until their second short week of the season comes on a Christmas Thursday against the Lions.

Van Ginkel update