‘Good possibility’ Vikings will have left tackle Christian Darrisaw against the Bears

There is a “good possibility” that quarterback J.J. McCarthy has premier left tackle Christian Darrisaw protecting his blind side during the Vikings’ season opener on Monday night in Chicago, coach Kevin O’Connell said Wednesday.

Darrisaw, the 315-pound blocker, is more than 10 months removed from the two torn ligaments in his left knee that ended his 2024 season. He has “checked every box from a workload standpoint,” O’Connell said, during his ramp up to Week 1.

Darrisaw said playing is a joint decision that starts with the training staff’s clearance. He said “things do feel different” with his surgically-repaired left knee, which was supported by a brace during Wednesday’s practice.

“I got to have confidence in myself mentally, physically,” Darrisaw said. “I know I got to be there all the way. You just don’t want to put yourself in a worse position or kind of like half stepping. When I have that confidence and just knowing I’m ready to rock out, I’ll be out there.”

O’Connell said “we’ll see how he feels” after a heavy workload in Wednesday’s practice.

“Things have been going well,” Darrisaw said after practice. “Better than I expected, better than what some of them expected as well, so things are definitely going in the right direction.”

The endurance of Darrisaw’s left knee would be a reason the Vikings may still hold him out, O’Connell said. Tackle Justin Skule, the 28-year-old journeyman who signed with the Vikings in March, would start if necessary.

“What that means for Monday night,” he added, “I don’t know as of right now. I just know what my eyes have shown me, what Christian has demonstrated.”

Safety Harrison Smith has returned to Vikings headquarters and participated in Wednesday’s walk-through, O’Connell said. But Smith is still not practicing due to a personal health matter that has kept him out since Aug. 11.

“He’s back in the building, in meetings, and building up his workload for the week,” O’Connell said, “so we’ll see where he’s at.”

Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (undisclosed) and receiver Jalen Nailor (hand) returned to practice for the first time in front of reporters. Van Ginkel had been out since Aug. 7. Nailor injured his left hand during an Aug. 14 joint practice with the Patriots.

The Vikings and Bears will issue the week’s first injury reports on Thursday.

“It’s a fundamentals, technique and play style thing to want to win the line of scrimmage and move people,” O’Connell said. “All the little details. ... Our run game throughout training camp really felt like we were really starting to grasp that.”

Running back Aaron Jones will continue to start and be a versatile running and receiving threat at 30 years old, but the hard-charging, 26-year-old Mason is expected to play a critical role for a team that struggled to break through goal lines last season.

“We feel we complement each other really well,” Jones said. “We’re excited to get after it together, cheer each other on.”

Jones, a former Packers star, has quickly made deep connections with the Vikings entering his second year in Minnesota. He was voted a team captain for this season, which he said his young son, Aaron Jr., had been asking him why he wasn’t already.

“It meant everything to me,” Jones said. “It’s truly an honor. It’s what I work for. I lead by example not more so by words, so it just showed me my work is paying off and my teammates see the hard work I’m putting in. They also see I care about them.”

About three years later, the Vikings’ 2022 draft class began Week 1 preparations with just 6 of the 10 members on active rosters. Only two of those active players — Nailor and running back Ty Chandler — are still with the Vikings.

Cornerback Akayleb Evans (Panthers), guard Ed Ingram (Texans), defensive lineman Esezi Otomewo (Steelers) and tackle Vederian Lowe (Patriots) also made NFL teams.

First-round safety Lewis Cine is on injured reserve with the Eagles. Second-round cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. is a free agent after being released last week by the Cowboys.

The Vikings also have only two of six members from their 2023 draft class: receiver Jordan Addison and safety Jay Ward. Cornerback Mekhi Blackmon is with the Colts after being traded last month; defensive tackle Jaquelin Roy is on Patriots injured reserve; quarterback Jaren Hall and running back DeWayne McBride are free agents.