Vikings QB Sam Darnold has bruised knee and shouldn’t miss time, coach says

MINNEAPOLIS — Sam Darnold suffered a knee bruise in Sunday’s win over the Houston Texans, head coach Kevin O’Connell said Monday.

It’s good news for the Vikings and Darnold, who is a “little sore” and should have “have a normal week of preparation” before Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, O’Connell said.

Vikings fans were holding their breath when Darnold went down with an apparent injury and then left the field. They exhaled when he returned after missing just one play, but it was unclear how extensive the injury is.

While Darnold finished the game, both he and O’Connell indicated after the game that further testing was needed. 

“We’ll evaluate it, we’ll look at it, but felt good enough to be able to go back in the game,” Darnold said. 

“He got rolled up a little bit on the penalty there, kind of low on him. He checked out and came back in the game,” O’Connell said. “We’ll go through an evaluation just to rule anything out, but was proud of Sam coming back in the game and helping take us down the field.”

When asked Sunday whether his injury would keep him from practicing this week or playing against the Packers, Darnold said, “I’m not sure.”

Darnold’s injury came late in the third quarter when former Viking Danielle Hunter hit him low. Hunter was flagged for roughing the passer on the play. 

“Obviously [Hunter’s] a great player, and not a dirty player whatsoever,” Darnold said after the game.

Backup QB Nick Mullens came in for a play while Darnold got his left knee examined. Then, Darnold jogged back onto the field, buoyed by an ovation from the crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium.

“The fans’ reaction meant everything to me,” Darnold said. “Not only that, but my entire time here in Minnesota has been amazing with the fans.”

Darnold’s solid play has been a key part of the Vikings’ 3-0 start. In Sunday’s win, he threw four touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s first in the league in touchdown passes, second in passer rating and fourth in adjusted net yards per attempt and QBR.

The Vikings previously lost rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the season. The 21-year-old tore his meniscus in his first preseason game and was placed on injured reserve after a successful surgery. Aside from Mullens, the Vikings also have veteran Brett Rypien on the roster.

O’Connell also said Monday that Jordan Addison, Dallas Turner and Ivan Pace Jr. will all be day-to-day with their respective injuries, but they’re hoping to get them back before the Packers game.