Minnesota Vikings make important decision with superstar player that will set him up for next season

After a challenging season for left tackle Christian Darrisaw, the Minnesota Vikings have placed him on injured reserve.

Tyler Forness NFL & College Football News Writer
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Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell looks on during warmups against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Injuries have been a major theme for the Minnesota Vikings in 2025, with the biggest of those being to left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Ahead of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that the Vikings have decided to place him on season-ending injured reserve.

“After a little bit of collaboration amongst Christian Darrisaw and our medical staff, we’ve determined that we’re going to place him on injured reserve,” said O’Connell on Friday. “As we worked through it, day-to-day this week, felt like, in totality, after a lot of dialog and good discussion, that’s going to be the best thing for Christian, and that’s what will be happening here.”

Minnesota Vikings place left tackle Christian Darrisaw on injured reserve

It was a difficult season for Darrisaw. He missed the first two games of the season still healing from the injury and returned against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. He played 38 snaps in that game, and came out in the second half due to the Vikings winning the game by 38 points. He missed two games after his return, with both of them coming in the last three weeks against the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.

It isn’t just the games that he has missed, but Darrisaw was removed from three games this season:

  • Week 5 vs. Cleveland Browns
  • Week 8 vs. Los Angeles Chargers
  • Week 12 vs. Green Bay Packers

“It’s been a complex injury that he had. And I want to once again, just, I’ve admired the way that Christian has attacked this, and wanting to be out there for every possible snap he could be with his teammates,” O’Connell continued. “And I know he’s going to get off to a great start with his preparation for 2026 and put this behind them, and we’re behind him 100% to do so.”

It’s the right decision to put Darrisaw on injured reserve, as the future is more important than the final three games.