EAGAN, Minn. — The Minnesota Vikings received good news on Monday regarding quarterback Sam Darnold’s left knee, which was diagnosed with a bruise but showed no signs of serious injury. Coach Kevin O’Connell stated that Darnold is not anticipated to miss any significant time as the team prepares for their Week 4 game against the Green Bay Packers.
“It’s a little sore,” O’Connell remarked, “but we’re hopeful that Sam can maintain a normal week of preparation.”
Darnold has emerged as one of the standout players of the NFL season, leading the league with eight touchdown passes and helping the Vikings achieve a 3-0 record. Now playing for the fourth team in his seven-year career, he currently ranks fifth in the NFL in Total QBR at 73.1.
The injury took place late in the third quarter during Sunday’s 34-7 win over the Houston Texans. As Darnold dropped back for a pass, he was hit low by Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter and fell awkwardly, resulting in a 15-yard penalty against Hunter for the low hit.
Although Darnold initially stood after the hit, he began limping and sat down on the field for evaluation. He eventually walked to the medical tent, with backup Nick Mullens stepping in briefly before Darnold returned to the game, eliciting cheers from the home crowd. Darnold later expressed that the crowd’s reaction “meant everything to me.”
Both Darnold and O’Connell, however, urged caution about assuming there was no injury at all. The outcomes of Monday’s tests brought to mind past injuries to quarterback Kirk Cousins, who suffered a season-ending tear in his Achilles, and rookie J.J. McCarthy, who experienced a season-ending meniscus tear in August.
Additionally, O’Connell noted that he is not worried about a jammed finger on receiver Justin Jefferson’s right hand. Jefferson sustained the injury during his sixth and final catch in the second quarter. X-rays indicated no fracture, although the Vikings targeted him only twice afterward, resulting in one drop and a missed opportunity that O’Connell attributed to Darnold adjusting his throw based on prior practice feedback.