Key Takeaways

• Darrisaw left Sunday's win over the Dolphins with a concussion and was reportedly cleared in-game, only to be pulled again after symptoms returned, per head coach Kevin O'Connell. The team will continue evaluating him with an eye toward Monday updates.
• Donovan Jackson also left Week 4 with a knee injury, adding to the potential absences on the Vikings' offensive line and increasing the urgency to identify reliable depth at LT.
• The Vikings have a bye after Week 5, which could provide critical recovery time for both Darrisaw and Jackson regardless of whether they play in Week 5.
• Ryan Van Demark started at LT1 after Darrisaw's departure, delivering a better run-blocking performance than in pass protection, where he allowed three pressures on 22 pass-blocking opportunities (51.9 grade according to Pro Football Focus).
• Caleb Tiernan, a 2026 third-round pick, made his NFL debut in Week 4, appearing for eight snaps as an inline tight end rather than at tackle, and earned run-blocking and pass-protection grades of 70.3 and 75.7 respectively.
• Tiernan, drafted 97th overall out of Northwestern, brings size (6-foot-7, 323 pounds) and a background as a left tackle; he previously earned a second-team All-Big Ten nod and posted strong pass-block metrics in college, suggesting potential upside if given expanded opportunities.
• Looking ahead to Week 5 against the Saints, the Vikings will assess whether to rely on backups at left tackle or explore the trade market, using the Saints’ robust pass rush as a benchmark to gauge Tiernan and Van Demark’s readiness before the bye.