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News | Minnesota Vikings – vikings.com

Kevin O'Connell Provides Updates on DePaola & Reichard Injuries; Darrisaw Undergoes Surgery

EAGAN, Minn. — Two of three Vikings specialists are managing injuries suffered Sunday night against the Colts, Kevin O'Connell said.

Two-time Pro Bowl and 2022 First-Team All-Pro long snapper Andrew DePaola suffered a hand injury "that will require a procedure."

O'Connell said it is likely DePaola will be a candidate for short-term Injured Reserve, meaning the Vikings will need to figure out a replacement at the position instead of trying to lean on a player elsewhere on the roster who also serves as an emergency long snapper.

"We do have a couple guys [who practice for emergencies, and] I'm sure if we asked for volunteers, we'd have a few hands go up in the room, but we'll probably look to solidify it with something a little bit more sustainable than that for the short term here," O'Connell said.

Rookie kicker Will Reichard was still being evaluated Monday for a quad injury he suffered during Sunday's game in which he missed for the first and second time in his pro career.

View game action photos from the Vikings vs. Colts Sunday Night Football matchup in Week 9 at US Bank Stadium.

Reichard handled the opening kickoff and then attempted a 53-yard field goal that was barely wide right in the second quarter. He also missed from 31 later in the period.

Reichard did, however, go 3-for-3 on extra points and continued to handle kickoff duties.

"I'll keep you guys posted as we kind of solidify a timeline there on that," O'Connell said, "and if we're going to need to possibly bring in some kickers to potentially take a look at."

Reichard is now 14-for-16 on field goals and 23-for-23 on extra points this season.

"It's something where you would love to, you know, have him just continue on the fabulous trajectory he's been on, really, since he arrived here," said O'Connell, who has clearly appreciated the consistency by the rookie. "These things kind of come up, and we'll go through the process here of making sure we put together the best plan so we have him full and doing what he was doing all season long up until really last night.

"With how he's performed up until this point, I would imagine that [the injury] was a contributing factor in him missing a couple kicks, but he toughed it out and still put the ball in the end zone on some kickoffs and made some extra points," O'Connell said. "So a tough, tough dude, and loves being out there with his teammates. And as you guys know and can tell, his teammates absolutely love him."

O'Connell said left tackle Christian Darrisaw, who was having an incredible season, is undergoing surgery Monday. He credited the young star with continuing to help the team last week as newly acquired veteran Cam Robinson arrived in a trade from Jacksonville and played all 73 of Minnesota's offensive snaps.

"Happy with the fact that C.D. is going to get that thing fixed and start his road to getting back to being one of the best left tackles in football," O'Connell said. "C.D. has been great. He's been heavily involved, even in the short term here, in meetings around the guys, was around Cam last week as he first arrived, and was one of the major contributors, along with position coaches and the rest of the offensive line for Cam to be able to go out and play pretty darn well for us yesterday."

Update: The Vikings released the following statement Monday evening.

Christian Darrisaw underwent successful surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament today at Twin Cities Orthopedics in Eagan. The procedure was led by Vikings Head Team Physician Dr. Chris Larson. The team will continue to provide updates, as appropriate, during Darrisaw's recovery process.

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