Left tackle Christian Darrisaw and outside linebacker Marcus Davenport are active for the Vikings, thus likely to be in the starting lineup against the Eagles Thursday night.
This is a breaking news update. Read the original story below.
We’ll know for sure 90 minutes before the 7:15 p.m. CT kickoff, but word from Vikings insider Judd Zulgad is reporting that left tackle Christian Darrisaw “probably” won’t play in the showdown against the Eagles tonight.
“It also sounds like Christian Darrisaw, with an ankle injury, probably is not going to play in this game. If this was a Sunday-to-Sunday situation, they might’ve pushed Darrisaw to come back and play and he might’ve pushed himself, but with only four days off if something goes wrong with the ankle and it gets even worse….we’re looking at a long-term injury problem,” Zulgad said.
“I think they’re going to play it safe. Oli Udoh probably starts at left tackle. That’s certainly not great news but the Vikings certainly don’t want to lose Darrisaw for an extended period. But tonight, there’s no question: him being out is going to hurt.”
Afternoon Judd: #Vikings likely to be without starting left tackle. #SKOL
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— SKOR North – Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) September 14, 2023
If Darrisaw is out it’ll mean the Vikings are down two starters on the offensive line because center Garrett Bradbury has been ruled out with a back injury. This is what the starting O-line could look like.
- LT: Oli Udoh
- LG: Ezra Cleveland
- C: Austin Schlottmann
- RG: Ed Ingram
- RT: Brian O’Neill
Meanwhile, outside linebacker Marcus Davenport is questionable with an ankle injury.
The Eagles are expected to be without inside linebacker Nakobe Dean, safety Reed Blankenship, cornerback James Bradberry and running back Kenny Gainwell. That means they could be starting undrafted rookie Josh Jobe at cornerback, third-round rookie Sydney Brown at safety and former undrafted linebacker Christian Elliss in place of Dean.
So while Minnesota’s wide receivers and tight ends will have an advantage over Philly’s secondary, it’ll be Philly’s dominant defensive line that has a significant edge over Minnesota’s banged up offensive line.
The Vikings passed the ball 75% of the time in Week 1, so this could be the game where Kirk Cousins has a chance to put up big numbers if the tattered O-line can give him time to throw.
