A loss to LA is one thing. But losing your best offensive lineman and one of the best in the league? That's devastating.
The Vikings learned Friday morning that left tackle Christian Darrisaw will be out for the rest of the season after season-ending knee surgery. Darrisaw left the game early with a knee injury late in the first half during a running play. He was helped off the field and didn't return.
"He was playing at such a high level, he had zero bad games this year," said Purple Insider Matthew Coller, talking to WCCO's Chad Hartman Friday.
Journeyman David Quessenberry filled in for the rest of the game and likely gets the call going forward unless the Vikings make a move. Head Coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed the team is having conversations about how to replace Darrisaw.
“This is where the offensive line depth we felt good about going into the season gives you possibilities," says O'Connell.
Coller says there's no replacing someone of Darrisaw's talent.
"I don't think there are trade options," says Coller. "You can't trade for a starting left tackle. Any team that has one isn't giving one to you."
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport was the first to report the season-ending surgery. The Vikings lost 30-20 in LA on Thursday Night Football.
Speaking to the media Friday afternoon, O'Connell explained that it is an ACL and MCL injury Darrisaw suffered that will require surgery.
Vikings star wide receive Justin Jefferson says it's a tough loss.
"It's definitely tough to, you know, you have him go down, but we always set the next man up," Jefferson said game. "We're always confident in the next man behind him, for him to come in the game and do the same exact things that CD did when he was in the game."
Some good news to go along with the bad. Tight end TJ Hockenson, who has yet to play this year after recovering from his own ACL reconstruction, has been added to the 53-man roster and will play next week against the Colts.
The Vikings have a little extra time to get ready before the next game after playing Thursday. They'll host Indianapolis a week from Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium.