Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is feared to have suffered a torn Achilles during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 24-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters that Cousins will undergo an MRI exam to determine the extent of the injury, but a torn Achilles would end one of Cousins' best seasons as a pro after just eight games.
"Thinking about our quarterback; went out today again as he has for most of the 2023 season and played the quarterback position as well as anybody in our league and just continued to build and build and build," O'Connell told reporters at the beginning of his postgame news conference. "We are fearing an Achilles injury. The severity of that I do not know at this point, but I know that is what our fear is in the moment, and we will confirm that as soon as possible. Thinking of Kirk. Our locker room, every single player in our locker room, thinking about our leader, our guy right now. Just so proud of him. Proud of the way 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 fact of what I believe … the level that he played to this year and ultimately what he's meant to me and our organization."
Cousins struggled to leave the field after going down in the fourth quarter with Minnesota up, 24-10. He was quickly ruled out with what was labeled an ankle injury and was carted to the locker room after being examined in the medical tent.
Cousins was 23-of-31 passing for 274 yards with two touchdowns at the time of the injury as he continued to display the strong form he has shown throughout the 2023 season, and -- in particular -- the effort on display this past Monday when he led the Vikings to an upset win over the San Francisco 49ers.
Rookie quarterback Jaren Hall replaced Cousins for the Vikings and finished the game 3 of 4 for 23 yards in limited action. O'Connell after the game on Sunday would not commit to Hall as his starting quarterback moving forward. Veteran Nick Mullens, who was placed on injured reserve earlier this month due to a back injury, could be an option once he is healthy.
