Vikings Dodged Major Bullet — and Then Some
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold hurt his knee on Sunday as his team blew out the Houston Texans 34-7. Darnold insisted his injury was minor after the contest, but some believed it all felt eerily similar to McCarthy, who is on injured reserve with a torn meniscus.
Ultimately, likening Darnold’s injury to McCarthy’s was just routine Vikings fans’ paranoia. Darnold is just fine and, in fact, is in line to play this weekend at the Green Bay Packers. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted Monday, “Vikings QB Sam Darnold’s MRI revealed a knee bruise and no structural damage, per source.”
Vikings loyalists would’ve considered a sprain and subsequent absence of a game or two a win, so a bruise with no projected missing time is the absolute best-case scenario. Had Darnold missed Sunday’s game and beyond, Minnesota would’ve pivoted to QB2 Nick Mullens and hoped for the best.
Darnold, 27, has thrived this season, stringing together three outstanding games and leading the NFL in touchdown passes. His team is undefeated and sitting alone on top of the NFC North. When the regular season kicked off 15 days ago, the Vikings had about 28% odds of reaching the postseason in January, a probability that has climbed to 69% by the end of Week 3, according to sportsbooks.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters on Monday that Darnold underwent an “extension evaluation” and heavily implied Darnold would be ready for Week 4 at Lambeau Field.
Danielle Hunter, a former Vikings outside linebacker, caused Darnold’s injury after another player shoved him into Darnold’s leg. Darnold was quick to absolve Hunter from fault, as the ex-Viking isn’t known for dirty play. “Obviously he’s a great player and not a dirty player whatsoever, but just getting hit low there, we’ll evaluate it. We’ll look at it. But felt good enough to be able to go back in the game,” Darnold said Sunday afternoon.
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
The Vikings’ best player, Justin Jefferson, offered all compliments on Darnold after Week 3. “Sam is the leader of the team, and he’s the captain, so it was a great job for him. His composure and his will to go out there, no matter who we’re going up against, no matter how many people are doubting us or doubting him, he’s going out there confident and just being himself.”
