Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw has battled nagging knee injuries over the past two seasons, limiting him to 17 games during that span. He missed the final 11 games in 2024 with a torn ACL and MCL. Although Darrisaw avoided landing on the PUP list to start the 2025 season, he missed seven games, including the final four weeks, because his knee kept flaring up throughout the year. As a result, he was limited to ten games, only played every offensive snap five times, and cracked the 75% threshold seven times.

Darrisaw is aiming to put his knee issues behind him and move on.

The Minnesota Vikings’ stalwart gave a major injury update

Christian Darrisaw has been a near-full participant in the Vikings’ offseason workout program, including voluntary organized team activities. During Thursday’s press conference, the elite left tackle provided a major injury update, as reported by Emily Leiker of The Minnesota Star Tribune. Darrisaw said his knee has felt better than it has in two years and is trending in the right direction. He also added that he is in full motion and that everything feels great.

“Best it’s felt in two years,” Darrisaw said, via Leiker. “I’m trending in the right direction. Full motion, everything feels great.”

The Vikings are better prepared at tackle in 2026

The Vikings struggled tremendously to replace both tackle spots last season when Christian Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill were sidelined. Justin Skule served as the swing tackle, while Blake Brandel and Walter Rouse filled in at times. This season will be different, as the team signed former Buffalo Bills swing tackle Ryan Van Demark and drafted former Northwestern Wildcats standout Caleb Tiernan in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Brandel is expected to take over for Ryan Kelly as the starting center, and Skule is back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Van Demark is expected to handle swing tackle duties, while Tiernan is getting the opportunity to learn from Darrisaw and O’Neill as the third-stringer.

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