Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold experienced a knee bruise during Sunday’s commanding 34-7 win against the Houston Texans. Fortunately, an MRI revealed no structural damage, as reported by NFL Media on Monday, which means he is not anticipated to miss any playing time.
In the game, Darnold completed 17 of 28 passes for 181 yards without throwing any interceptions. The 27-year-old signal-caller briefly exited the game to have his left knee examined after a late hit from Danielle Hunter, a former Vikings defensive end now with the Texans. However, Darnold returned to the field quickly, earning a loud cheer from the fans at U.S. Bank Stadium.
As the third overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Darnold is enjoying a strong start to the current season. He leads the league with eight touchdown passes through three games, all of which have resulted in victories for Minnesota. This performance marks a significant turnaround for the veteran quarterback, who is looking to solidify his role with the team.
In his first three games with the Vikings, Darnold has amassed 657 passing yards, achieving an impressive completion rate of 67.9%. His ability to connect with receivers has been a key factor in the team’s early success this season.
Darnold, who previously won the Rose Bowl with USC, is now on his fourth NFL team in six years, following stints with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers. Initially viewed as a transitional player until the arrival of 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, Darnold’s path took an unexpected turn when McCarthy suffered a torn meniscus during the preseason.
Next week, the Vikings will face their rivals, the Green Bay Packers, who recently witnessed a surprising performance from backup quarterback Malik Willis in their win over the Tennessee Titans. Starter Jordan Love is currently sidelined as he recovers from an MCL sprain, adding another layer of intrigue to this upcoming matchup.
