MINNEAPOLIS — Sam Darnold suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.
It’s good news for the Vikings and Darnold, who is “a little stiff” and should have had “a normal week of preparation” for Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, O’Connell said.
Vikings fans held their breath when Darnold was injured and left the field. They gasped when he returned after missing just one play, but it was unclear how serious the injury was.
Although Darnold finished the game, he and O’Connell indicated after the game that further investigation was needed.
“We’ll evaluate it and look at it, but I felt good enough to get back in the game,” Darnold said.
“He got a little bit rolled up on the penalty, a little bit low on him. He checked out and got back into the game,” O’Connell said. “We’re going to do a review to rule everything out, but we were proud of Sam for getting back into the game and helping us get up the field.”
When asked Sunday whether his injury would prevent him from practicing this week or playing against the Packers, Darnold said, “I’m not sure.”
Darnold’s injury came late in the third quarter when former Viking Danielle Hunter hit him low. Hunter was penalized for roughing the passer on the play.
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“Evidently [Hunter’s] “A great player, and definitely not a bad player,” Darnold said after the game.
Reserve QB Nick Mullens came in for a play while Darnold had his left knee checked. Darnold then ran back onto the field to an ovation from the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium.
“The fan reaction meant everything to me,” Darnold said. “Not only that, but my whole time here in Minnesota has been amazing with the fans.”
Darnold’s solid play has been a key part of the Vikings’ 3-0 start. In Sunday’s victoryHe threw four touchdowns and no interceptions. He ranks first in the league in touchdown passes, second in passer rating, and fourth in adjusted net yards per attempt and QBR.
The Vikings previously lost rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy before the season. The 21-year-old tore his meniscus in his first practice match and was placed on the injured list after a successful surgery. In addition to Mullens, the Vikings also have veteran Brett Rypien on the roster.
O’Connell also said Monday that Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner and Ivan Pace Jr. will all be day-to-day with their injuries, but that they hope to regain their injuries for the game against the Packers.
