MRI Confirms Kirk Cousins Has a Season-Ending Injury
Let’s just call 2023 the NFL year of the injured Achilles. First, Aaron Rodgers suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon during the New York Jets’ first game of the season. So, he was out. Now, it’s Kirk Cousins’ turn, as Monday’s (Oct. 30) MRI confirms Kirk Cousins has a season-ending injury in the form of a torn Achilles.
The Minnesota Vikings dropped the expected news on Monday afternoon. An MRI has confirmed that the star quarterback tore his Achilles on Sunday (Oct. 29), during the Vikings’ game against the Packers. The Vikings added that the timeline and details of Cousins’ upcoming surgery haven’t been determined yet but will in the next week.
Cousins tore his Achilles during the fourth quarter of the Vikings’ win over the Packers. What’s even more heartbreaking is that this wasn’t a close game. They probably could have even saved Cousins in the fourth quarter, but you could never predict that something like a torn Achilles would happen.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell called the injury a “serious Achilles injury” in a press conference after the win. So, even without an MRI, everyone expected this to be the final result. What’s extra heartbreaking is that Cousins was playing some of the best football of his career in 2023. He ends his 2023 run having completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards with 18 touchdowns and five interceptions. It’s been a stellar year for Cousins, as he’s also currently leading the NFL in touchdown passes.
So, who will step in for Cousins? Currently, the Vikings have rookie Jaren Hall on their active roster in the quarterback position and Sean Mannion on their practice squad. Also, Nick Mullens is on injured reserve. Many speculate the Vikings will have to bring someone else into the fold, though, to stay competitive this season. A few names out there include Colt McCoy, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett and Case Keenum.