Vikings move Christian Darrisaw to injured reserve, will be without Javon Hargrave against Giants

The Vikings will play the remainder of the season without left tackle Christian Darrisaw, whom coach Kevin O’Connell announced Friday will be moved to injured reserve due to the 2024 knee injury he has spent all year working back from.

O’Connell said the decision was collaborative between Darrisaw and staff following “a lot of dialogue and good discussion” this week.

O’Connell said Wednesday the team was still taking Darrisaw’s injury “a day at a time” when asked if he would be shut down for the season.

Darrisaw did not practice this week. He has not gone through a full day of practice since Dec. 5 but practiced in limited fashion Dec. 12.

Darrisaw tore multiple ligaments in his knee in October 2024 against the Rams. He made his 2025 season debut and initial return from the injury in Week 3 and has started 10 games, though he did not play all of them in full.

“It’s been a complex injury that he had,” O’Connell said. “I’ve admired the way Christian has attacked this and wanting to be out there for every possible snap he could be with his teammates. I know he’s gonna get off to a great start with his preparation for 2026 and put this behind him.”

O’Connell said there was no setback in Darrisaw’s recovery or new injury that forced the move to IR, calling it a “unique year” for the fifth-year player. He added in a separate answer that Darrisaw’s workload and the upcoming short week with the Vikings playing Christmas Day made this “the best decision for Christian in the short term.”

Darrisaw is the third player the Vikings have moved to injured reserve this week. Outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard and safety Josh Metellus were moved earlier this week as they prepare for surgery to repair injured shoulders.

The Vikings also listed right tackle Brian O’Neill as questionable because of a heel injury he suffered against the Cowboys. O’Neill was limited during practice Thursday and Friday after not practicing Wednesday.

Blake Brandel would start in O’Neill’s place if necessary.

Defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, who suffered a thigh injury at Dallas, will be out. He was marked as a non-participant all week but did do some work with trainers separate from practice.

Running back Ty Chandler (knee) and tight end Gavin Bartholomew (back) are both listed as questionable. The Vikings would need to make a roster move Saturday to make either active, as both are in their 21-day practice windows returning from IR and the physically unable to perform list, respectively.

Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (illness), cornerback Art Green (illness/hamstring), cornerback Rico Payton (back) and offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu (calf) are questionable.

Despite recording only two victories this season, the Giants are tied for 14th in total offensive touchdowns with 37. Their 12 losses have come by an average margin of 9.6 points.

A factor in that continued grit is rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who has had to navigate the injury losses of second-year wide receiver Malik Nabers and rookie running back Cam Skattebo.

O’Connell said he views Dart’s play style as “playmaking,” from designed runs to off-schedule plays.

“He can make a lot of really unique throws,” O’Connell said Wednesday. “You’ve seen him attack the middle to deeper part of the field on schedule, off schedule. And then, what’s held up is that competitiveness and applying some of those things, where maybe it’s, as he grows and develops, you’ll see more and more plays that he’s playing in rhythm and going through progressions.”

Dart didn’t immediately start for the Giants — veteran Russell Wilson led them in their first three games — and missed two games in November because of a concussion.

But Dart has thrown for 1,802 yards and 13 touchdowns with a 62.5% completion percentage and only four interceptions. Additionally, he has rushed for 400 yards, the third-most on the team behind running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (504) and Skattebo (410).

O’Connell said it will be critical for the Vikings defense to be disciplined in its rushes and stay aware of Dart’s ability to pull the ball and attempt to take off.