Through three games this season, in what can best be called a "left side lockdown", Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw and left guard Donovan Jackson combined to hardly allow whoever was under center to be touched.
PFF credited Darrisaw with the two sacks the duo combined to allow through Week 3, but they combined to allow zero quarterback hits.
In what has become an all-too-familiar injury tune for the Vikings' offense so far this season, with a key offensive player exiting very early for the third time in four games, Jackson left Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins with a knee injury after playing just seven snaps. Adding to the concern is how quickly he was ruled out for the rest of the game.
Later in the first half, adding to an injury bug he can never quite seem to shake, Darrisaw left Sunday's game with a neck injury. He was able to return after halftime, which was a great sign, but then Darrisaw left the contest to be evaluated for a concussion.
After the game, head coach Kevin O'Connell said Jackson will get imaging done on his injured knee. As for Darrisaw, he cleared concussion protocol from the hit that caused the neck injury but experienced symptoms after a second hit.
Vikings now have unwelcome questions on left side of the offensive line
The Vikings' offense has enough issues right now, injury-impacted or not. They did not need injury concerns along an offensive line that had been healthy, and now there are two in a quick glimpse of last season.
At this point, Jackson's situation seems cut-and-dry, in that he seems likely to miss significant time. What that exactly looks like is to be determined.
Darrisaw's situation is more nuanced, since he was able to return to Sunday's game before the aforementioned second hit took him out of the game again. With how things were managed with his injured left knee last season, there are automatic concerns and questions there beyond the nature of his injuries.
The Vikings seem to be a little better-equipped to handle injury absences on the offensive line than they were last season.
Rookie offensive tackle Caleb Tiernan filled in for Darrisaw on Sunday and not veteran offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark. The reason for the rookie getting the nod is unclear, but as long as Van Demark is healthy, he will likely be the starter at left tackle if Darrisaw misses time.
PFF was not complimentary of Huber's work filling in for Jackson on Sunday, but he very well might be starting at left guard in Week 5 against the Saints, at least.
Whatever updates come on Monday or over the course of the coming week, the Vikings could be down their two best offensive lineman so far this season in Week 5 or beyond.
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