![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NFL-Minnesota-Vikings-at-Green-Bay-Packers-27664709-scaled-e1765999572992.jpg\")
Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCredit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
If there has been one constant for the Minnesota Vikings this season, it\u2019s been injuries<\/a>. At 6\u20138<\/a>, this hasn\u2019t been a good team, and they\u2019ve rarely been at full strength. Offensive linemen were the early problem and continue to be an issue<\/a>, but the defense has taken its share of hits as well<\/a>.<\/p>\n The back end of Minnesota\u2019s secondary was always going to be an area of intrigue. Harrison Smith is nearing the end of his career<\/a>, making it important to see Josh Metellus and Theo Jackson step into larger roles. While Metellus had been available for every game<\/a> this season, that run has now come to an end.<\/p>\n Josh Metellus placed on IR by Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n Like defensive teammate<\/a> Jonathan Greenard, Josh Metellus will undergo surgery to repair a shoulder injury. The Vikings placed him on injured reserve, officially ending his season.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of our captains, and a guy that I could not respect more for the toughness he\u2019s shown playing with that injury\u201d \u2013 Head Coach Kevin O\u2019Connell on S Josh Metellus being placed on IR. pic.twitter.com\/QdBElRaWAt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) December 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cWe have kind of been evaluating that shoulder on a week in and week out basis. Got home late Sunday and then went through some of the medical evaluations on Monday and into yesterday. It\u2019s been determined he\u2019s going to get his shoulder fixed as well\u2026One of our captains, and a guy that I could not respect more for the toughness he\u2019s shown playing with that injury.\u201d<\/p>\n Kevin O\u2019Connell<\/a><\/p>\n With Minnesota eliminated from playoff contention and just three games remaining, the timing is unsurprising. While Snoop Dogg will provide entertainment<\/a> at the Christmas Day matchup against Detroit, the results themselves are now more about draft positioning than wins and losses.<\/p>\n This marks the first time Metellus has played fewer than 15 games in a season<\/a>. Despite the shortened year, he still totaled 86 tackles, recorded half a sack, and intercepted two passes, matching his 2024 total. Though listed as a safety, Metellus has never been a traditional one, lining up all over the field. His role moving forward will be especially interesting once Smith is no longer on the roster.<\/p>\n Vikings Continue to Keep Christian Darrisaw Active<\/p>\n Despite having nothing to play for<\/a> and Christian Darrisaw still managing recovery from last year\u2019s knee surgery, the Vikings have not shut him down. The talented left tackle makes a clear difference when he\u2019s on the field, but it remains concerning that his health is still a weekly question mark.<\/p>\n The #Vikings<\/a> will hold a walk-through instead of practice today after the late game on Sunday, Kevin O\u2019Connell said. Christian Darrisaw won\u2019t participate in the walk-through; O\u2019Connell said the Vikings are taking things day-to-day with him. They haven\u2019t shut him down for the\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) December 17, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n Darrisaw has played in just 10 of Minnesota\u2019s 14 games<\/a> this season and has been a fixture on the injury report. Rather than ending his season with three meaningless games remaining, the Vikings appear content to take things week by week.<\/p>\n There has never been a clear explanation regarding the full extent of Darrisaw\u2019s injury or surgery. What is clear is that since signing his contract extension, he has appeared in only 17 of the team\u2019s last 31 games. As the weeks go on, availability continues to be a growing concern.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMentioned in this article: Christian Darrisaw<\/a> Joshua Metellus<\/a> <\/p>\n More About: Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/p>\n Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google. \t\t\t![\"Add](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/google_preferred_source_badge.png\"){kind=icon}
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