In desperate need of a win, the Vikings got a major boost before kickoff on Sunday at U.S. Bank Stadium when veteran safety Harrison Smith and star left tackle Christian Darrisaw were deemed good to go for the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It was the first time Smith and Darrisaw have played for the Vikings this season.
It’s been a slow build to this point, as Smith has been dealing with a personal health issue, and Darrisaw has been working through the final stages of his recovery from torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee.
They both made their presence felt in different ways, Smith deflecting a pass that was intercepted by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, and Darrisaw protecting the blind side of quarterback Carson Wentz.
How did Smith feel?
“I felt good,” he said. “The plan kind of worked out perfectly with what we were looking for as far as a rep count for me.”
How did Darrisaw feel?
“I felt like myself,” he said. “Just getting those first couple of drives out the way I really felt like I settled in and it was on after that.”
In addition to Smith and Darrisaw, edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel returned from a concussion and impacted the game with a pair of sacks
Asked specifically about Darrisaw after the game, head coach Kevin O’Connell heaped praise about the difference he made by simply being on the field.
“A juice that quite honestly elevated our entire team,” O’Connell said. “If there’s ever a question of what a franchise left tackle means to an organization, I think we felt it.”
The inactives for the Vikings included quarterback J.J. McCarthy, center Ryan Kelly, left tackle Justin Skule, receiver Tim Jones, tight end Nick Vannett, defensive tackle Elijah Williams and quarterback Desmond Ridder, who was available on an emergency basis.
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