Kevin O’Connell clears the air surrounding Christian Darrisaw’s exit from Sunday’s win vs. Browns
It was frustrating in real time, but it all worked out in the end.
The Minnesota Vikings found a way to get it done against the Cleveland Browns with a 21-17 win.
It wasn’t an easy win for the Vikings, who needed a Carson Wentz touchdown pass to Jordan Addison with less than a minute remaining to get the win.
One of the biggest issues the Vikings faced was their decimated offensive line. They entered the game with three starters ruled out, along with their second-string center in Michael Jurgens. Going up against one of the best defensive lines in the league was a challenge, and it got harder once the second half started.
Kevin O’Connell clarifies Christian Darrisaw not playing in the second half
Before the first half ended, left tackle Christian Darrisaw was seen walking off the field. It raised questions about his health, especially with him coming back from a torn ACL. He didn’t play at all in the second half. Justin Skule kicked back out to left tackle, and Walter Rouse came in at right tackle.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell clarified what the deal was with Darrisaw missing the second half, and it turns out it was part of a plan to continue easing him back into the game.
“Christian Darrisaw was part of a plan we knew based upon the high snap count last week,” said O’Connell. “We wanted to be smart with CD and didn’t didn’t make it any easier, as far as having to navigate the end of the game there without one of the best left tackles in football. But want to compliment CD, his willingness to continue to ramp up and continue to be such a critical factor for our team. I’m proud of him.”
It makes sense to continue being careful with Darrisaw, especially since he’s a big part of the Vikings’ success. It also helps that the Vikings mitigated his sitting out with a tremendous performance by the line late in the game. Their play on the final drive was the primary reason the Vikings drove down the field and secured the win.
Now that the Vikings are in the bye week, Darrisaw can rest his knee for a week before returning to practice, something that was likely in the cards with how the Vikings plan to proceed to get him ready for the rest of the season.
Coming out of the bye, the Vikings have the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and Detroit Lions. It’ll be a tough stretch, but made much easier with their starting left tackle healthy and ready to go.