The Minnesota Vikings were already heading to London absent starting offensive guard Donovan Jackson, and now another member of the unit is likely going to join him.
Right tackle Brian O’Neill left last weekend’s three-point loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin during the first quarter with a knee injury. On Monday, September 29, the team confirmed he sprained his MCL and will almost certainly miss time, per the Daily Norseman.
Team doctors conducted an MRI and confirmed there is no tear in the knee, which is the silver lining, as such an injury would have required O’Neill undergo surgery and probably would have meant the end of his season.
Backup left tackle Justin Skule filled in for O’Neill and will presumably do so again next week when the team takes on the Cleveland Browns in England, Minnesota’s second straight game on the European continent.
Vikings Offensive Line Hasn’t Been Whole for Single Snap All Season
GettyRight tackle Brian O’Neill of the Minnesota Vikings.
Any time O’Neill misses is going to prove problematic for a Vikings offensive line that has struggled to stay healthy and perform all season long. O’Neill is a two-time Pro Bowler (2021, 2024) and currently playing on a five-year, $92.5 million deal that runs through 2026.
Minnesota poured substantial resources into the unit after it faltered down the stretch last season, both in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions and more pointedly over Super Wildcard Weekend in a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Vikings drafted Jackson with their first-round pick after paying guard Will Fries a total of $88 million and center Ryan Kelly a total of $18 million to leave the Indianapolis Colts in free agency and shore up the interior of the O-line.
Kelly has played in three of four games, but left Week 2 early with a concussion and missed Week 3. Jackson is out with a wrist injury that required surgery and won’t return before Week 7. Starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw missed the first two games of the year as he rehabilitated from torn knee ligaments that ended his 2024 season in the middle of the campaign.
In fact, at no point have all five starters been on the field together at the same time in 2025. Due to Jackson’s return timetable, there was no chance they’d get a snap together until Week 7. It is now unclear if that will still be the case based on O’Neill’s injury. The Vikings have a bye in Week 6 after they return from their two-week jaunt to the United Kingdom.
Vikings’ Offensive Line Issues Have Caused Major Problems in Losses, Including Contributing to Injury of QB J.J. McCarthy
GettyMinnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
The lack of continuity on the offensive line has been a significant issue for Minnesota in both of its losses.
Pittsburgh registered 14 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss and six sacks against the Vikings on Sunday. And in Week 2, the Atlanta Falcons tallied 11 QB hits, six sacks and five tackles for loss. Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy also sustained a high ankle sprain against Atlanta and has missed the last two games because of it.
Minnesota has allowed a league-leading 18 sacks through four weeks, while the Browns have one of the strongest defensive fronts in the NFL and have amassed 11 sacks as a defense on the season.
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