Christian Darrisaw’s ‘time is coming,’ but he sits out for Vikings; Blake Cashman needs tests on injured hamstring

CHICAGO – Quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s late-game heroics that led to the Vikings’ 27-24 victory over the Bears on Monday night came without one of his best blockers.

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who entered the game listed as questionable, said “the decision had already been made” for him not to play when he went through a roughly 30-minute pregame workout at Soldier Field.

Justin Skule replaced Darrisaw, who is 10½ months removed from last year’s season-ending knee injury. Darrisaw’s pregame workout happened under the watch of the team’s training staff and offensive line coach Chris Kuper. Darrisaw clarified that Soldier Field’s sod, which was replaced recently, did not factor into the decision.

Coach Kevin O’Connell has said previously the team needs to have a “big picture” outlook with Darrisaw, one of the Vikings’ best players.

“But I still wanted to get that field work,” Darrisaw told the Minnesota Star Tribune after the game. “We’re just taking it a day at a time. That time is coming, and I’m going to know it whenever I’m comfortable and confident.”

Protection appeared shaky at times. McCarthy took sacks on the first two third-down attempts, the second when Bears edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo got by Skule.

Skule was also flagged for holding in the second quarter, negating an 11-yard carry by running back Jordan Mason. He also gave up a hit on McCarthy in the third quarter that was flagged for roughing.

Skule, a seventh-year journeyman, made his 18th career NFL start. The Vikings signed Skule to a one-year, $2 million deal in March to be the swing tackle.

Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman will undergo further testing on an injured hamstring, according to O’Connell. Cashman pulled up in the third quarter while chasing Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams. He was evaluated on the sideline and did not return.

In his second stint with the team, ninth-year linebacker Eric Wilson replaced Cashman and played a pivotal role in the comeback victory. Wilson took over Cashman’s responsibilities wearing the “green-dot” helmet, or the only one with an in-helmet speaker to relay play calls from coordinator Brian Flores to everyone else.

“That’s why we went and got him,” O’Connell said. “You’re always looking for that veteran presence. I don’t know if we win the football game if we don’t have Eric Wilson.”

Wilson also got a hand on a Bears punt in the fourth quarter, leading to a 25-yard shank and solid field position. The Vikings offense then ripped off a nine-play, 68-yard scoring drive to take a 10-point lead.

Center Ryan Kelly and running back Ty Chandler were also evaluated for injuries but returned to the game. Kelly was seen going into the X-ray room after the game. Cornerback Jeff Okudah will be evaluated for a concussion possibly suffered on the game’s last play, O’Connell said.

Safety Theo Jackson made his first NFL start for Harrison Smith, who did not play because of an illness. Smith, a 14th-year veteran, returned to practice this week but did not travel with the team to Chicago.

Bears cornerback Nahshon Wright, who spent last year on the Vikings practice squad, had a busy night replacing injured starter Jaylon Johnson. The Chicago defense also played without cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards.

First, Wright helped the Vikings with a 42-yard pass interference penalty while trying to cover running back Aaron Jones downfield.

But Wright got the last laugh in the third quarter, when he picked off a McCarthy pass and ran it 74 yards for a touchdown. On the pick-six, McCarthy was overwhelmed by an all-out — or “zero” — blitz that sends every pass rusher who isn’t in man-to-man coverage.

“He learned how to play pretty good zero coverage here,” O’Connell said, “and credit to Shonny for making that play.”

Many Vikings and Bears players, coaches and staffers wore pregame shirts that honored the victims of the Aug. 27 shooting at Annunciation Church in south Minneapolis, where two children were killed and 21 people were wounded.

The white T-shirts had “Annunciation” on the front. On the back were five pillars of Annunciation’s “School Essential Agreement“: “Be Kind, Be Respectful, Be Inclusive, Be My Best Self, and Be Brave.”

The Bears were extended an invite to wear the shirts and agreed. The Vikings will also wear them before their home opener Sunday night.

• A notable 10 players — or 20% of the Vikings’ available personnel in Chicago — were active for their first NFL game: McCarthy, guard Donovan Jackson, quarterback Max Brosmer, receivers Tai Felton and Price, linebackers Kobe King and Austin Keys, edge rusher Chaz Chambliss, tight end Ben Yurosek, and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.

• Kicker Will Reichard‘s 59-yard field goal before halftime is the longest of his career. It also tied the Soldier Field record for longest field goal, set in January 2016 by Detroit’s Matt Prater.

• Receiver Tim Jones played after being elevated from the practice squad.