Vikings News: Elite Blindside Blocker Avoids PUP List

The Minnesota Vikings’ month-long break is nearing a conclusion. Rookies reported to training camp on Sunday, July 20, while veterans reported on Tuesday, July 22, at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. The team will have their first open practice on Saturday, July 26, one of 12 sessions open to the public.

With report day looming, all eyes were on whether their elite offensive tackle would be ready for the start of training camp.

Minnesota Vikings’ LT suffered a season-ending injury in October

Christian Darrisaw suffered a knee injury during the second quarter of Week 8 against the Los Angeles Rams after a defender landed on his left leg. Tests and an MRI determined he had sustained a season-ending ACL and MCL tear, typically carrying a nine-to-twelve-month recovery time. Since the injury occurred midway through the season, Darrisaw may not be ready for the start of the season.

The blindside protector was limited to individual drills during mandatory minicamp as he continues to work his way back.

On X, the Vikings announced that they have placed only rookies Gavin Bartholomew and Chaz Chambliss on the active/PUP list, not Christian Darrisaw. The team plans to ease the elite left tackle into practice, ensuring he is not rushed back into action, and therefore, preventing the risk of injury. However, this does not mean that Darrisaw is a lock to play in Week 1 and could still miss the start of the season.

Who starts if he is not ready Week 1?

The expectation is for Justin Skule to start at left tackle if Christian Darrisaw is not ready for the start of the season. He served as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ swing tackle over the past two seasons, playing in 34 games with five starts during that span. Skule started four games at right tackle and one game at left tackle in 2024.