Donovan Jackson : Minnesota Vikings Training Camp
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Minnesota Vikings got grim updates on the left side of their offensive line Monday, one day after their latest defense-first victory over the weekend against Miami Dolphins. Unfortunately, the victory didn’t come without sacrifice.
Injury updates on Minnesota Vikings o-line not good
Left guard Donovan Jackson is dealing with a meniscus tear that will require surgery and is likely to end his regular season, and left tackle Christian Darrisaw is in the concussion protocol, per head coach Kevin O’Connell.
Here is KOC’s brutal Vikings injury update from this afternoon. Donovan Jackson is out for the season with a meniscus tear and Christian Darrisaw is in concussion protocol… 📽️: @Vikings https://t.co/WWf5DaQyOH
— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) October 5, 2026
“Christian Darrisaw is indeed in the concussion protocol, working through the initial stages of that, I’ll keep you posted throughout the week on where he’s at and unfortunately Donovan Jackson does have a meniscus tear that will require surgery and likely end his regular season based upon the timeline initially early on here, but does indeed look like an injured reserve situation. So very, very unfortunate, Donnie’s gotten off to a great start this year, unbelievable offseason and ascending player, temporary setback for him, but very, very excited about Donovan Jackson, the player, and will support him and love him up and he’ll still be a big part of that O-line room and culture here as we move forward.”
Kevin O’Connell on Jackson and Darrisaw injuries
More details on Donovan Jackson injury
Donovan Jackson was the Minnesota Vikings’ 1st round pick in 2025 (24th overall out of Ohio State). The 6-foot-4, 324-pounder has started all 18 NFL games he has played (14 as a rookie, all four in 2026).
Last season as a rookie, that included 795 offensive snaps and allowed just 2.0 sacks, per PFF. Through four games this season, he played 183 offensive snaps (77.2 PFF pass-blocking grade – 7th among guards), allowing 0 sacks and just 2 pressures.
Here’s the play where Jackson appeared to injure his knee on Sunday vs Miami.
@DrJesseMorse can u breakdown the Donovan Jackson left knee injury possibilities here. Injured early 1st quarter and quickly ruled out. Getting imaging tmmr but radio silence after that. Seems to be he got tossed and when he planted his left leg it go stuck with ankle and knee https://t.co/1addxe1yyY
— ELITE BETZ (@Ty58445216) October 5, 2026
More details on Christian Darrisaw’s concussion
Darrisaw went down late in the second quarter with a neck injury. Everyone watching from home and at U.S. Bank Stadium breathed a huge sigh of relief when the 2021 1st round pick (23rd overall) returned in the third
Unfortunately, he exited again later in the second half after showing concussion symptoms.
LT @Vikings #ChristianDarrisaw Head injury check History of 2 previous concussions https://t.co/YdYmNeUuRx
— David J. Chao – ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) October 4, 2026
Per the Star Tribune, he had been cleared by an independent spotter after the first exit, then later entered the concussion protocol. He has played all four games this season after missing much of 2025 recovering from a knee injury.
With both starters out down the stretch Sunday, Joe Huber and Ryan Van Demark filled the left side. The Vikings (4-0) next face the New Orleans Saints.
The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Darrisaw has started all four games for the Vikings in 2026, after starting 10 games in 2025 while trying to recover from an ACL and meniscus tear he suffered in 2024. In 2022, Darrisaw finished as PFF’s second-highest graded tackle (90.4), trailing only Trent Williams (93.0).