The Minnesota Vikings have bullied their way back into playoff contention over the past several weeks and hold a two-touchdown lead over the Green Bay Packers. But none of that will matter if Kirk Cousins is seriously injured.
Cousins got hurt during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Here’s the latest on the veteran signal-caller as Week 8 continues.
Kirk Cousins Injury Update
Cousins hobbled to the sideline after taking a third-down sack from Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark. He couldn’t put any weight on his right leg as he made his way to the bench.
#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
Cousins limped to the blue medical tent and had to be helped inside. A cart eventually came to the Vikings’ sideline and took Cousins to the locker room. He needed assistance getting onto the cart and didn’t wear a shoe on his right foot as he left the field.
Minnesota quickly announced that Cousins was out for the remainder of today’s game with an ankle injury.
Nick Mullens, Cousins’ usual backup, was placed on injured reserve in Week 6. Instead, sixth-round rookie Jaren Hall entered the game to replace Cousins.
After the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell said the Vikings fear Cousins suffered an Achilles injury. A Monday MRI confirmed the diagnosis, meaning Cousins will miss the remainder of the season.
Physical therapist @SeanWalshPT breaks down the Achilles injury to #Vikings QB Kirk Cousins.#PFN365 | #SKOL pic.twitter.com/IxcUwE6hWW
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 29, 2023
Cousins’ injury could theoretically affect how Minnesota affects the NFL’s Oct. 31 trade deadline. He’d already indicated he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause, but the Vikings’ recent win streak might have made them buyers at the deadline.
But now that Cousins is dealing with a long-term injury, veterans like edge rusher Danielle Hunter and linebacker Jordan Hicks could be available over the next two days.
Fantasy Fallout From Cousins’ Injury
The running game in Minnesota lacks clarity, and the loss of Cousins would remove most of the scoring equity from both Alexander Mattison and Cam Akers. Neither would project as anything more than a low-upside Flex play next week in Atlanta, given the lack of role clarity and scoring opportunities.
The Jordan Addison breakout experience, obviously, takes a big step backward.
Without Cousins, Addison is a low-end Flex play at best, while K.J. Osborn should be removed from starting consideration. He should, however, remain rostered given his role in this offense with Justin Jefferson on the shelf, but temper expectations significantly, even after his big Week 8.
— PFN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe