Vikings Begin Monday with News of Rookie Getting Wrist Surgery

The Minnesota Vikings got back in the win column in Week 3, and they had plenty to feel good about. Quarterback Carson Wentz had a successful Vikings debut as running back Jordan Mason ran for two touchdowns in a 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

With cornerback Isaiah Rodgers putting together a historic performance on the defensive end, the Vikings had plenty to feel great about as they begin a two-week trip to Europe this week. But just before it was all smiles, boarding the plane to Dublin, the Vikings were checked as head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that rookie guard Donovan Jackson will undergo wrist surgery and miss at least the next two games.

Vikings OG Donovan Jackson’s Wrist Injury Sullies Flawless Win Over Bengals

According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Jackson suffered the injury in Week 2 but played through it in Week 3 after team doctors determined that he wouldn’t injure himself any further by playing with the injury. While Jackson was on the field, the injury seemed to hurt his performance, however, with Jackson posting a 55.3 overall grade on 56 total snaps per Pro Football Focus.

The 24th overall pick in April’s draft, Jackson seized a starting role at guard in his rookie season and got off to a great start, posting an overall grade of 74.3 and not allowing a single pressure on 25 pass-blocking snaps in a Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears. The rookie’s performance dropped with the rest of the offensive line in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, posting a 44.4 overall grade and allowing four pressures and a sack on 30 pass-blocking snaps, but some of those struggles may have had to do with the injury.

Overall, it’s been a mixed bag in Jackson’s rookie season with a 58.3 overall grade and five pressures with a sack allowed in 83 pass-blocking snaps. He's also dealt with adversity as Christian Darrisaw missed the first two games as he recovered from a torn ACL and MCL suffered last October.

Although Blake Brandel, who will start in Jackson’s absence, has starting experience, he’s been a replacement-level player, posting an overall grade of 55.7 and allowing 46 pressures on 676 pass-blocking snaps last season.

It’s enough to put a damper on a win that seemed to get the Vikings back on track and throws another wrench into an offensive line that hasn’t gotten a chance to work together as a fully healthy unit this season. While the Vikings are hopeful Jackson can return after their Week 6 bye, they’ll need their rookie back as soon as possible if they want to make sure Sunday’s win wasn’t a flash in the pan.

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