The Vikings are unbeaten through four games, but head coach Kevin O’Connell made it clear Monday that his focus is on improvement, not celebration.
“We’re very excited about being a 4-0 team,” O’Connell said. “But at the same time, we know there’s so much work to be done.”
That next challenge comes this week on the road against the Saints in what O’Connell described as one of the NFL’s toughest environments.
“Kellen’s (head coach Kellen Moore) got the Saints playing really good football,” O’Connell said. “We’re going to put together a good week and go attack this thing.”
**_\*\*\*Click the video box above to watch O’Connell’s Monday news conference\*\*\*_**
While pleased with the victory over Miami, O’Connell said the Vikings know they must clean up offensive mistakes that continue to prevent the unit from reaching its full potential.
Minnesota controlled the ball for nearly the entire fourth quarter Sunday, possessing it for roughly 14 of the final 15 minutes before kneeling out the victory. O’Connell called that finishing sequence encouraging, especially given the adversity the offense faced during the game.
“We do need to score more points and finish some of those drives with touchdowns,” he said.
The Vikings were hurt by pre-snap penalties and operational mistakes that repeatedly put the offense behind schedule.
“There’s no excuse for it,” O’Connell said. “It starts with me. We’ve got to put together a plan to rectify those issues and clean up the things that we’re causing on our own.”
The biggest news from Monday’s press conference came on the injury front.
O’Connell confirmed that left tackle Christian Darrisaw has entered the concussion protocol and will be monitored throughout the week.
More significantly, starting left guard Donovan Jackson suffered a meniscus tear that will require surgery and is expected to land on injured reserve, likely ending his regular season.
“Very, very unfortunate,” O’Connell said. “Donnie’s gotten off to a great start this year. Unbelievable offseason and ascending player.”
The loss creates another challenge for an offensive line that has already dealt with personnel shuffling through the first month of the season.
O’Connell expressed confidence in Joe Huber, who stepped in Sunday for Jackson and is expected to have an opportunity to fill the void.
“Joe’s a good young player that we’ve been really excited about,” O’Connell said. “He’s physical. He’s a smart player.”
Huber’s versatility has impressed the coaching staff, having worked at multiple positions across the offensive line. O’Connell said teammates and coaches alike have high expectations for the second-year lineman.
If Darrisaw can’t play at New Orleans, backup Ryan Van Demark would start in his place.