Vikings' Sam Darnold expected to start vs. Packers after knee bruise in Week 3


Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold will look to continue his surprising run as a bruised knee isn’t expected to sideline him for the team’s Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. The team announced the prognosis after an MRI on Monday revealed no structural damage.

The 27-year-old passer appeared to sustain the injury late in the third quarter of the team’s 34-7 win over the Houston Texans on Sunday. He missed one play, but returned to the game. He finished 181 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 34-7 romp.

Darnold has been one of the best quarterbacks in the league through three weeks with 657 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He ranks second in passer rating with a 117.2 mark.

The Vikings have opened the season 3-0 with Darnold under center. Darnold, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, inked a one-year deal with Minnesota after being a backup with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. The Vikings picked Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with their 2024 first-round pick.

Darnold seemed in line to be the starter even with the pick, but secured the job after McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury in the preseason.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Sam Darnold’s performance — and health scare — cements role in Vikings’ stellar start

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(Photo: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images)





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