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Another Vikings Defender Shelved for Season
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- Another Vikings Defender Shelved for Season
Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
If there has been a constant for the Minnesota Vikings this season it has been their ability to get hurt . At 6-8 this hasn't been a good team, but they've also rarely been at full strength. Offensive lineman were the problem early, and have persisted to be one , but the defense has taken its lumps too .
This season the back-end of Minnesota's secondary was always going to generate a level of intrigue. Harrison Smith is at the end of his career , and watching both Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson step up needed to happen. The former has been available for every game , but he's done the rest of the way.
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Josh Metellus placed on IR by Minnesota Vikings
Similarly to defensive teammate Jonathan Greenard, Josh Metellus is going under the knife to repair a shoulder injury. He has been placed on inured reserve and his season is over.
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"One of our captains, and a guy that I could not respect more for the toughness he's shown playing with that injury" – Head Coach Kevin O'Connell on S Josh Metellus being placed on IR. pic.twitter.com/QdBElRaWAt
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 17, 2025
"We have kind of been evaluating that shoulder on a week in and week out basis. Got home late Sunday and then went through some of the medical evaluations on Monday and into yesterday. It's been determined he's going to get his shoulder fixed as well…One of our captains, and a guy that I could not respect more for the toughness he's shown playing with that injury."
The reality is that the Minnesota Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention and their remaining three games don't carry any weight. Snoop Dogg will be in attendance for the Christmas Day contest against Detroit, but outcomes are more tied to draft positioning than anything.
This is the first time that Metellus has played in less than 15 games during a single season . He still racked up 86 tackles and recorded a half sack. His two interceptions were a repeat of the 2024 production. Although Metellus is a safety, he's hardly traditional in that sense. Playing all over the field, it will be interesting to see how he is utilized once Smith is no longer on the roster.
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MN Vikings keeping Christian Darrisaw active
Despite having nothing to play for , and Christian Darrisaw still dealing with recovery from his knee surgery last year, the Minnesota Vikings aren't pulling the plug on his season. The talented left tackle makes a difference when on the field, but it's somewhat crazy his health is still a question. With three meaningless games to go, they aren't ready to end it yet.
The #Vikings will hold a walk-through instead of practice today after the late game on Sunday, Kevin O'Connell said. Christian Darrisaw won't participate in the walk-through; O'Connell said the Vikings are taking things day-to-day with him. They haven't shut him down for the…
— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 17, 2025
Darrisaw has played just 10 of the Vikings 14 games this season. He's been a regular on the weekly injury reports, and his status is in question on a game-by-game basis. Rather than just simply shut him down, Minnesota is kicking the can down the road.
We've never gotten a straightforward answer as to the extent of Darrisaw's injury or surgery. That said, he's played in just 17-of-31 games since his extension, and availability concerns grow every week.
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