Kirk Cousins is leading the NFL in most major passing categories through Week 8 amid a torrid start to the season that has helped the Minnesota Vikings reach 4-4 after a tough start.
The star quarterback saw that start derailed when he went down with an injury during Sunday’s 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Here’s the latest on Cousins’ prognosis.
How Long Is Kirk Cousins Out For?
Cousins went down with an apparent leg injury during the fourth quarter of the victory over Green Bay and was unable to put any weight on his right leg as he limped off the field to the blue medical tent.
He needed assistance getting onto the cart and did not wear a shoe on his right foot. The veteran QB was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game.
#Vikings QB Kirk Cousins suffered an injury on this play and was carted off the field.
Rookie Jaren Hall is in the game.
pic.twitter.com/W2k8MjbpbQ— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 29, 2023
Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell said after the game that the team feared Cousins had suffered an Achilles injury, which was confirmed Monday by an MRI. Cousins will now miss the rest of the season with the injury, a crushing blow to the Vikings’ hopes of contending after their turnaround from a slow start.
Cousins had completed 23 of 31 pass attempts for 274 yards and two touchdowns prior to leaving the contest.
Cousins led the league in pass attempts and completions and was tied with Tua Tagovailoa for the lead in passing touchdowns through the first eight weeks of the season. He finishes 2023 having completed 216 of his 311 pass attempts for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just five interceptions through eight starts.
Who Takes Over for Cousins?
The Vikings will attempt to remain in contention for the playoffs despite the loss of Cousins.
When Cousins went down against the Packers, Minnesota turned to rookie Jaren Hall, whom the franchise selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Hall completed 3 of 4 pass attempts for 23 yards and took one sack in his professional debut.
The Vikings would typically have turned to backup Nick Mullens, but he was placed on injured reserve in Week 6.
Now with two quarterbacks out for the foreseeable future, Minnesota dealt for the Arizona Cardinals’ Joshua Dobbs at the trade deadline to provide a second option at the position. Dobbs threw for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions and ran for 258 yards and three touchdowns in eight starts for Arizona.
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Hall will get the start in Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, though. Time will tell how much he can provide at the position or how soon Dobbs could take over as he adapts to the new scheme.
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