It will be six to eight months of unavailability for the Minnesota quarterback.
The diagnosis was almost obvious, it is now confirmed. According to NFL Network, Kirk Cousins underwent an MRI to evaluate the injury he suffered against the Packers. The verdict is clear: it is indeed a tear of the Achilles tendon.
The Vikings quarterback will have to undergo surgery to repair his leg. NFL Media specifies that such an injury means six to eight months of recovery. His season is therefore over.
Cousins entered Week 8 of competition as the NFL leader in touchdowns thrown (16) and second in passing yards (2,057). Before leaving the game against Green Bay, he had recorded 23 completions for 274 yards and 2 additional touchdowns.
Already deprived of Justin Jefferson, the Minneapolis franchise will have to improvise in the coming weeks and find options to complete its 2023 campaign. And perhaps beyond. Because Cousins was entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings and will find himself an unrestricted free agent for 2024.
It was rookie Jaren Hall who took over against the Packers, but Kevin O’Connell said he is not ready to commit to a new starter for the moment. Veteran Nick Mullens is on the injured list, but could be activated in Week 10. Failing that, Minnesota also has Sean Mannion on its reserve team since Mullens’ back injury.
