(This story was updated to add new information.)
The Minnesota Vikings came into their Week 15 Monday Night Football matchup against division rivals the Chicago Bears with a golden opportunity. With a win, they would control their own destiny in the NFC playoff picture thanks to the Detroit Lions’ loss on Sunday to the Buffalo Bills.
In the first half, the Vikings came out like a team, fully aware of the magnitude of their situation. The defense came out and stonewalled the Bears’ offense early, forcing an early turnover on downs and coming away with a strip sack and recovery on consecutive possessions. Throw in a Justin Jefferson touchdown and a couple of field goals, and it all amounts to a 13-0 lead at the half.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, it’s not all good news, as they appear to have lost their starting right tackle, Brian O’Neill, to a leg injury.
Brian O’Neill injury update
O’Neill was initially injured in the first quarter after a running play to Aaron Jones. O’Neill was looked at on the field by the training staff, but was able to leave the field under his own power. He was evaluated in the blue medical tent for a few minutes and then returned to the game.
O’Neill’s return was short-lived, however, as he would leave the game again a couple of minutes before halftime. This time, O’Neill went straight to the locker room to be further evaluated by the Vikings’ training staff. He is back in the game once again, but we will monitor his injury.
How long will O’Neill be out?
It appeared that O’Neill was going to be okay when he came back into the game after the initial injury. O’Neill only missed a handful of plays at first and came back looking like nothing was wrong. Needing to leave the game a second time certainly isn’t a good sign, but as of now, he is back in the game once again, and we will monitor his injury.
Vikings offensive tackle depth chart
With O’Neill out, the right tackle duties will fall on long-time swing tackle David Quessenberry. Quessenberry has already had plenty of playing time this season, filling in on the left side for injured left tackle Christian Darrisaw prior to the Vikings’ acquisition of former Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson.
