Not another season-ending quarterback injury. Earlier in the season, New York Jets fans were devastated to hear the news that their new guy, Aaron Rodgers, would be out for the season due to a torn Achilles. Now, it’s the Minnesota Vikings’ turn. The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly preparing themselves for the news of quarterback Kirk Cousins suffering a season-ending right Achilles tear. This unfortunate injury will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the organization’s future.

After the Vikings’ impressive 24-10 triumph over the Green Bay Packers, a thrilling win that leveled their record at 4-4 following a challenging 0-3 start, coach Kevin O’Connell expressed his concerns about a potential Achilles injury. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Cousins suffered a torn Achilles, although the team will wait for further testing before confirming the outcome.

“It just hurts to know that he’s more than likely not going to be able to continue progressing forward on what has really felt like maybe his best season as a pro,” O’Connell said in the locker room after the game.

During Week 8, Cousins was at the top of his game, leading the NFL with 16 touchdown passes and ranking second in passing yards with 2,057. Unfortunately, during Sunday’s game, he sustained an injury after completing 23-of-31 passes for 274 yards and two more touchdown passes. It’s worth noting that this is his final season under contract, which will expire in March. With just 9 minutes and 50 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Cousins faced a third down from the Packers’ 22-yard line. As he tried to move up in the pocket, his right leg gave out and he was sacked by Kenny Clark of the Packers. Cousins had to hop off the field without putting any weight on his injured leg.

Rookie quarterback Jaren Hall stepped in, but O’Connell said he’s not ready to announce a Cousins replacement, if Cousins is out for the remainder of the season.

Cousins’ injury stunned the team, as ESPN reports.

“It was just weird,” center Garrett Bradbury said of seeing Cousins leave the game. “Whenever the Vikings are out there, Kirk’s out there.”

“You see it day in and day out, how much he takes care of his body,” right tackle Brian O’Neill added. “He lives and breathes being durable and out there and available for us. It’s surprising and it hurts. People don’t understand how much he means to us.”

“Every single player in our locker room is thinking about our leader and our guy,” O’Connell concluded. “I’m just so proud of him. Proud of how he’s played all season long. Whatever is the case, if we don’t have him for one snap or for the duration of our season, that will not change … the level that Kirk Cousins played this year and ultimately what he meant to me and our organization.”

If Cousins are out, the Detroit Lions are even more of a bet to win the NFL North.

Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles today, per source. An MRI will be taken to confirm.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 29, 2023