Donovan Jackson to miss rest of season after knee surgery for Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings remain unbeaten early in the season, but their offensive line has taken a major hit. Starting left guard Donovan Jackson will miss the remainder of the year after suffering a knee injury in Sunday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell said testing showed a torn meniscus, and Jackson is scheduled for surgery that will end his season. The injury forced him out of the contest, and further evaluation confirmed he will not return to action in 2026.

Former first-round pick sidelined after early progress

Jackson was the Vikings’ top pick in the 2025 draft and stepped directly into the starting lineup as a rookie. He played exclusively at left guard last season and opened the current campaign in the same role, anchoring the interior of Minnesota’s offensive line.

According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson posted an overall grade of 59.4 in his first season, leaving room for growth. Early in 2026, he showed clear improvement in pass protection, ranking among the top guards in that phase of the game before going down with the knee injury.

The setback halts a promising second-year jump and forces the Vikings to find a new answer at left guard for the rest of the schedule. Jackson remains under contract through 2028 on his rookie deal, with Minnesota holding a potential fifth-year option for 2029, but his immediate focus will be on a lengthy rehab.

Christian Darrisaw in concussion protocol as O-line thins out

Jackson’s loss comes at a time when the Vikings are already dealing with issues at tackle. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after being limited to 42 snaps on Sunday. Given the steps required to clear the protocol, a Week 5 return is considered unlikely.

Darrisaw has missed significant time in recent seasons, appearing in only seven games in 2024 and ten the following year. While his current absence is not expected to be as prolonged, losing him even briefly compounds the impact of Jackson’s season-ending surgery on Minnesota’s blocking unit.

For a Vikings offense that has yet to fully hit its stride, being without a full-time starting guard and a banged-up left tackle raises the degree of difficulty. Minnesota will need quick adjustments in both pass protection and the run game to maintain its strong start despite a depleted offensive line.