Vikings Coach O’Connell Prepares Starters for Preseason Game Against Raiders
- The Minnesota Vikings will start Sam Darnold at quarterback in their preseason opener.
- Rookie J.J. McCarthy will make his NFL debut following Darnold's start.
- This game marks an important moment for both players as they showcase their skills on the field.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced that most healthy starters will participate in the upcoming preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders at U.S. Bank Stadium. This marks a shift from O’Connell's previous two seasons, where he opted to keep starters sidelined during exhibition matches. Notably absent from the lineup will be star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, veteran safety Harrison Smith, and tight end T.J. Hockenson, who is still recovering from a torn ACL. In a significant change, starting quarterback Kirk Cousins will see action in the preseason for the first time under O’Connell, having remained on the sidelines in the previous two years. While Cousins will not be able to build on his practice rapport with Jefferson during the game, newcomer Sam Darnold is expected to gain valuable experience with the first-team offense. O’Connell has not disclosed how many series each quarterback will play, but he confirmed that Nick Mullens will not participate, leaving second-year player Jaren Hall to take snaps later in the game. O’Connell expressed a desire to break the team's 10-game preseason losing streak, emphasizing the importance of ramping up intensity ahead of a challenging regular-season schedule that includes matchups against San Francisco, Houston, and Green Bay. The coach aims to ensure the team is well-prepared for the season opener. Injury concerns persist, with defensive players like 2019 first-round pick Jerry Tillery and veteran cornerback Shaquill Griffin sidelined. Additionally, Hockenson's potential replacement, Robert Tonyan, is dealing with back spasms, further complicating the team's preparations.