Source: In the Vikings’ win, quarterback Kirk Cousins tears his right Achilles.
Green Bay, Wisconsin The Minnesota Vikings are waiting on confirmation that quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending right Achilles tear, an injury that will have a ripple effect on the team’s short- and long-term prospects.
After a 0-3 start, the Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 24-10 on Sunday in an otherwise thrilling victory that tied the team’s record at 4-4. Coach Kevin O’Connell stated that the squad was “dreading” an Achilles injury. The organization said it would not confirm the news until it put Cousins through more testing, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter claimed that Cousins tore his Achilles.
“It just stings to know that he is more than likely not going to be able to continue pushing forward on what has truly seemed like maybe his best season as a pro,” O’Connell remarked in the postgame locker room, to the surprise of many.
Playing in the last season of a deal that expires in March, Cousins led the NFL in passing yards (2,057) and touchdown passes (16) going into Week 8. He had injured himself on Sunday after completing 23 of 31 throws for 274 yards and two more touchdowns.
With nine minutes and fifty seconds left in the fourth quarter, it happened. On a third down from the Packers’ 22-yard line, Cousins tried to step up in the pocket, but his right knee crumbled. The Packers’ defensive end Kenny Clark sacked him, and Cousins leaped off the field without bearing any weight on it.
Although O’Connell stated he was not yet prepared to name a starter to replace Cousins in his anticipated absence, rookie quarterback Jaren Hall completed the game. Due to a back issue, veteran backup Nick Mullens is on injured reserve; however, he might be activated as early as Week 10. Since Mullens’ injury, the Vikings have also included veteran Sean Mannion on their practice squad.
Having quarterback talks like these, which are common for many NFL teams, is unfamiliar to the Vikings since they signed Cousins in 2018. In that time, he has only missed two games: one in 2019 while the Vikings rested their starters in preparation for the postseason, and the other in 2021 due to a COVID-19 positive test. During that time, he has tied for the most starts in the NFL with 88 with the Vikings.
This season, Cousins has gone from being one of the NFL’s most derided players to one of its most beloved because to his breakout performance in the Netflix documentary “Quarterback” and what he has nicknamed his “Dad Swag” look. In addition to offering a glimpse into his personal life and sense of humor, the series showcased the efforts he puts in to continue playing every week.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill remarked, “You see it day in and day out, how much he takes care of his body.” “He exists solely to be resilient, present, and accessible to us. It hurts and is unexpected. People are unaware of our deep attachment to him.”
