6 biggest disappointments of the Vikings 2023 season
By Nik Edlund
Disappointment No. 3
Injuries to top players
Turnovers were prevalent for the Vikings in 2023, and so were the injuries.
Getting bitten hard by the injury bug seems to happen every year to at least one NFL team, and this was the case for the Vikings this past season.
Minnesota left tackle Christian Darrisaw dealt with an injury early in the season that prevented him from suiting up against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.
Then Vikings pass rusher Marcus Davenport began the season on the sideline due to an injury before appearing in a couple of games and then getting re-injured, which ultimately resulted in him missing the entire season.
That was just the tip of the iceberg.
Minnesota wide receiver Justin Jefferson missed about two months with a hamstring injury and quarterback Kirk Cousins had tore his Achilles against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 and was lost for the season.
The Vikings also lost running back Cam Akers for the season due to a torn Achilles and linebacker Jordan Hicks was out for a stretch with a scary leg injury.
Later, Minnesota tight end T.J. Hockenson's knee was destroyed by the dirty hit of Detroit Lions defensive back Kerby Joseph, and cornerbacks Byron Murphy and Mekhi Blackmon also missed some of the Vikings' games in 2023 due to injuries.
It was truly insane what Minnesota had to overcome from an injury standpoint and it's actually kind of impressive that they still managed to win seven games.
That being said, the amount of injuries and the key Vikings players who were on the shelf, was a very disappointing thing to see.