Christian Darrisaw makes early exit, leaving Vikings offensive line depleted again

INGLEWOOD, CALIF. - Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw made it through only two offensive series in Thursday night’s 37-10 loss to the Chargers at SoFi Stadium, where a year ago he suffered a season-ending knee injury that’s still limiting him.

Upon his exit, the Vikings moved Justin Skule from right tackle, where he’d been filling in for the inactive Brian O’Neill, to Darrisaw’s spot. Walter Rouse came in at right tackle.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell commended Darrisaw for playing at all on the quick-turn week.

Tight end Josh Oliver (foot) also made an early exit. He was carted off the sideline to the locker room around the start of the second quarter. Oliver’s X-rays on his right foot were negative, O’Connell said, but he will have a magnetic resonance imaging exam.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah has a concussion, and outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard will also have his right ankle evaluated in the coming days.

Darrisaw was ruled active for the game 90 minutes before kickoff after being listed as questionable Wednesday.

He went through a pregame workout in front of several members of staff, including offensive line coach Chris Kuper, offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and Vice President of Player Health and Performance Tyler Williams.

Starting center Ryan Kelly is on injured reserve with his second concussion of the season and fifth documented one of his career. Blake Brandel started his third game in his place.

O’Neill was marked as not practicing Monday and Tuesday and was only a limited participant Wednesday, though those statuses were estimations, as the Vikings held walkthroughs instead of live practices on the short week.

He had returned Sunday from a right medial collateral ligament sprain suffered Week 4 against the Steelers in Dublin, playing 100% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps in their loss to the Eagles.

O’Neill said after that game that his knee ”gave out” on him a few times. O’Connell added Thursday that O’Neill came out of the Eagles game with soreness in his left knee from “maybe overcompensating” for his right knee.

“Both those guys, I know because they proved it before, both those guys would do anything to be out there with their teammates,” O’Connell said, referring to O’Neill and Darrisaw. “I’m the furthest thing from a doctor. I know it’s been debated, my medical prowess when it comes to our injured players playing, but I very simply listen to our doctors and listen, more importantly, to our players as much as I possibly can.”

Fullback C.J. Ham (hand) and outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (neck) had been ruled out Wednesday.

The Vikings again found a touchdown in the hands of the replay officials when a pick-six by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers on a low Justin Herbert pass targeting Ladd McConkey went under review.

Rodgers’ 17-yard score on the Chargers’ second offensive play was overturned on the basis that he didn’t maintain control.

Prime Video rules analyst Terry McAulay, an NFL official for 20 seasons, disagreed with the call. Los Angeles then capitalized on the reversal by going on a 14-play, 83-yard touchdown drive that ended with Oronde Gadsden’s 8-yard catch, a drive that took 7:39.

In Sunday’s 28-22 loss to the Eagles, Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had a touchdown overturned on replay. The score could have pulled the Vikings within 3 points.

Jones had five carries for 15 yards and made two receptions on four targets for another 15 receiving yards.

“It felt good being back out there in action, just being with the guys,” Jones said. “Missed it. Took it as a blessing and another opportunity to step on the field and play the game that I love.”

Jones said that he hadn’t expected to be placed on injured reserve following the Falcons game but that it “was definitely for the best.”

Jordan Mason had taken over as the primary back in Jones’ absence. Mason carried four times for only 3 yards Thursday. Zavier Scott led the team in rushing with two late carries for 16 yards.

To make room for Jones on the roster, the Vikings waived rookie linebacker Kobe King. Offensive guard Henry Byrd was elevated from the practice squad for the game.

“Dancing With the Stars” pro Alan Bernsten, a Minnetonka native, and actress Elaine Hendrix, best known for her role in the 1998 version of “The Parent Trap” and Vikings safety Harrison Smith’s cousin, repped the Vikings. The two are currently paired on Season 34 of ABC’s popular dance competition show.

Peter Herbstreit, one of analyst Kirk Herbstreit’s golden retrievers, also made an on-field appearance pregame, where he was greeted by a few Vikings players going through individual warmups.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was briefly booed when he appeared on the jumbotron for a mid-game presentation.

Los Angeles Sparks forward Cameron Brink was also in attendance.

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