Vikings Cautious Approach to Christian Darrisaw's Return; JJ McCarthy to Benefit
The Minnesota Vikings are proceeding with caution regarding the return of their star left tackle, Christian Darrisaw, who missed Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears. Despite a somewhat shaky performance from rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy in his debut, the potential return of Darrisaw against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football provides a significant boost to the offensive line and McCarthy's protection.
Vikings' Offensive Line Struggles and McCarthy's Debut
In J.J. McCarthy's first NFL game, the Vikings offense struggled to establish a consistent running game, leaving the rookie quarterback vulnerable to pressure. McCarthy was pressured on five of his 25 dropbacks, resulting in two sacks, a quarterback hit, and two hurries. Backup left tackle Justin Skule was particularly targeted by the Bears defense, responsible for four of those five pressures.
Optimism Surrounds Darrisaw's Expected Return Against the Falcons
Reports suggest that Christian Darrisaw is likely to return to the lineup for the Vikings' primetime matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. KSTP’s Darren Wolfson indicated that he anticipates Darrisaw will play, a sentiment echoed by Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling who stated that Darrisaw was close to playing on Monday and is expected to get enough practice reps to feel confident for Sunday's game. This return provides a vital upgrade to the left side of the offensive line and will aid in protecting McCarthy.
Offensive Line Overhaul Paying Early Dividends; Donovan Jackson Shines
Following a playoff loss where the Vikings struggled to protect their quarterback, Head Coach Kevin O'Connell prioritized improving the interior offensive line. The Vikings signed Will Fries and Ryan Kelly, and drafted Donovan Jackson. After just one game, these changes appeared beneficial. Fries allowed the only pressure outside of Skule, while Kelly and Jackson had clean performances. Donovan Jackson’s exceptional debut further solidifies the line.
Donovan Jackson's Impressive NFL Debut
While McCarthy garnered much of the attention, Donovan Jackson’s performance was notably impressive. Jackson earned an 88.1 pass-blocking grade and allowed no sacks or pressures. Pro Football Focus (PFF) highlighted Jackson’s debut, noting his high pass-blocking grade and efficient performance in both zone and gap-scheme runs. His performance is even more remarkable considering he didn’t have Darrisaw playing next to him.
Donovan Jackson in his NFL debut: ▫️ 88.1 pass blocking grade▫️ 0 sacks allowed▫️ 0 pressures allowed▫️ 100% pass blocking efficiency My IOL2 in the NFL Draft 🔐
Challenges Ahead with Darrisaw's Return
With Christian Darrisaw potentially returning, the Falcons' defensive front may shift their focus to exploiting the rookie guard, Donovan Jackson. However, Jackson’s strong debut suggests he's capable of handling the increased attention. The Vikings offensive line should be much improved with Darrisaw back in the lineup, providing J.J. McCarthy with a more secure pocket and a better chance to execute the offense effectively.