After Christian Darrisaw didn't start this summer's training camp on the physically unable to perform list, many assumed the Minnesota Vikings would have their starting left tackle out on the field for their regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears.
Instead, Darrisaw wasn't active for the Vikings in Week 1, and he remained on the sideline for the team's Week 2 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday as well.
Now, he's currently listed on Minnesota's final injury report as questionable for this weekend's Week 3 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Vikings would love to have Darrisaw back on the field on Sunday, but based on some comments he made on Friday, it doesn't seem like he's quite ready for that to happen yet.
Minnesota Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw not a guarantee to play in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals
As Minnesota continues to prepare for Sunday's game against the Bengals, Darrisaw answered a few questions from the local Twin Cities media on Friday about when he might finally return to the field.
Judging by what he said about his current status, don't bank on him starting this weekend when the Vikings take on Cincinnati.
"I've just got to trust my body, really be smart with it. It's early in the year. When I'm ready, I'll know I'm ready, and I'll be back out there.
...If I was ready, I'd be out there playing on Sundays. We'll see how I feel tomorrow, and then when Sunday comes, we'll collectively as a group make that decision."
ESPN's Kevin Seifert shared that Darrisaw also revealed that he's currently still "trying to get comfortable" with getting in and out of his stance, which is one of the more unique offensive tackle stances in the NFL today, since he lines up lower to the ground than the majority of the others in his position group around the league.
Some have assumed that it has been Minnesota who made the decision to sit Darrisaw out in each of the team's first two games this season. That could still be true, but based on what the Vikings left tackle said on Friday, it seems like he's at least going to be the one who will decide when he returns (whenever that eventually happens).