Recent injury news about Vikings 2021 first-round pick is highly concerning

Minnesota Vikings 2021 first-round draft pick, offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw, reportedly underwent a minor procedure in Philadelphia on Thursday.

After trading down in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings and their fans were thrilled when former Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw was still on the board for them to grab when it eventually came time for the team to make their first selection.

With the departure of veteran left tackle Riley Reiff earlier this year, many assumed Darrisaw would be able to step right in and open up the 2021 season with the Vikings in Reiff’s old role. However, things haven’t exactly been going well for the young blocker since he joined Minnesota’s roster.

On Thursday, things took another turn in the wrong direction for Darrisaw, and his chances of being ready to play in the Vikings’ first game of the upcoming regular season are continuing to get lower.

Latest injury news about Minnesota Vikings rookie tackle Christian Darrisaw is worrisome

In 2020, Darrisaw played through his final season at Virginia Tech with a nagging groin injury. Then this past January, the young offensive tackle underwent core muscle surgery to help make sure he would be healthy enough to play in his first NFL season.

Unfortunately, Darrisaw has still been dealing with an injury this summer that ultimately resulted in him reportedly undergoing a “minor core muscle procedure” in Philadelphia on Thursday according to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero.

Pelissero added that Minnesota is hoping the minor operation will help make sure their 2021 first-round pick is ready to suit up for the team in time for their regular-season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 12.

It sounds like the Vikings and Darrisaw are doing everything they can to fix the issue, but man, it is still extremely disappointing that the team’s latest top draft pick is already dealing with injury problems.

Even if Darrisaw is recovered in time for Week 1 against the Bengals, it’s hard to imagine Minnesota feeling comfortable enough to put him in the starting lineup after missing the majority of training camp and the preseason.

So we should probably expect Rashod Hill to open up the season as the Vikings’ starting left tackle and likely remain there for at least a few games.