Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins will be out for the rest of the season after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon during Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, the team announced on Monday.
Cousins suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. While he was being sacked by Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark, his right leg buckled. Cousins had completed 23 of 31 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns before the injury.
"Every player in our locker room is thinking about our leader and our guy," Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said. "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 the duration of our season, that will not change the fact, the level that Kirk Cousins played this year and ultimately what he meant to me and our organization."
Rookie Jaren Hall came in to replace Cousins and completed three of four passes for 23 yards in his NFL debut. With Cousins out, who will be the Vikings starter for the rest of the season? Hall will most likely be the starter. The Vikings have backup Nick Mullens, who will be activated from injured reserve in Week 10, and Sean Mannion on the practice squad. If something happens to Hall, then Mullens or Mannion will take over.
Cousins is in the final year of his contract. His season ends with him tied for the league lead with 18 touchdown passes. He also threw for an NFC-best 2,331 yards and threw just five interceptions. The Vikings will want to get a contract extension done with Cousins. If they don’t, then they will lose a good quarterback and will struggle if Jaren Hall doesn’t perform.
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