The Minnesota Vikings play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, trying to stay in playoff contention. Minnesota is a game behind the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks for the last two Wild Card spots in the NFC.
Minnesota could be eliminated with a loss, depending on results from earlier in the day. A win gives the Vikings hope to find a way to clinch a playoff berth in Week 18, but they will need help. Jaren Hall will start at quarterback for the Vikings, who have been without Kirk Cousins.
When Did Kirk Cousins Get Injured?
In Week 8 at Green Bay, Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s win. He had surgery a few days after the injury, and his 2023 season was over.
Cousins spoke to Aaron Rodgers after he was injured even though he did not have the same surgery the New York Jets quarterback did. Cousins’ recovery timetable could have him ready to play between July and October 2024.
Surgery was a success! Grateful for your prayers, Dr. Coetzee’s abilities, and our medical team. Would appreciate continued prayers! One day at a time… pic.twitter.com/prVoPwLsfB
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) November 1, 2023
A few weeks after surgery, Cousins, 35, spoke with the media and said he initially thought it was a sprained ankle. He realized it was much more serious after getting to his feet and trying to walk.
Cousins said, “You have a lot of thoughts go through your head, and one of them was, ‘Is this the last time I play football? Now, a couple weeks removed, I can say, ‘No, it’s not going to be.'”
Cousins has continued to contribute to this year’s team by helping the quarterbacks tasked with replacing him. Minnesota has started Hall, Joshua Dobbs, and Nick Mullens since Cousins went down.
MORE: Minnesota Vikings Playoff Scenarios and Chances
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said he asked Cousins to be involved and that it’s a “huge bonus for everybody” with the veteran QB around.
Where Will Cousins Play in 2024?
After a Week 5 loss to the Chiefs, the Vikings dropped to 1-4 and lost All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who would miss seven games with a hamstring injury. Yet, in Week 8. Minnesota moved to 4-4 with the win against the Packers.
After the slow start, there was speculation that the Vikings might trade Cousins, who is in the final year of his contract, before the trade deadline. However, there were multiple reports that he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause if the team approached him with a potential deal.
Cousins, who is in his 12th NFL season, said again after his injury that he wants to finish his career in Minnesota.
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