The Minnesota Vikings head into their Sunday Night Football clash with the Denver Broncos on a five-game win streak that has helped them recover from a rough 1-4 start.
And the Vikings have done so the last two weeks without their starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.
What Happened to Kirk Cousins?
Cousins had been one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks through his first seven starts of the season and led the league in most major passing categories after Minnesota’s Week 8 win over the Green Bay Packers.
His torrid start came to a swift halt during the Packers game, however, as Cousins suffered an apparent leg injury during the fourth quarter of the comfortable 24-10 win.
#Vikings QB Kirk Cousins suffered an injury on this play and was carted off the field.
Rookie Jaren Hall is in the game.
pic.twitter.com/W2k8MjbpbQ— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 29, 2023
The injury was later revealed to be a torn Achilles that would sideline him for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Cousins led the league in pass attempts and completions and was tied with Tua Tagovailoa for the lead in passing touchdowns through the first eight weeks of the season. Cousins’ 2023 campaign ended with totals of 2,331 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
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Cousins is also set to become a free agent this offseason as his contract expires, which could mean the veteran quarterback has played his final game in a Vikings uniform. He is among several key free agents Minnesota will need to make decisions on in the summer alongside standout edge rusher Danielle Hunter.
It’s unclear which direction the franchise will ultimately go with Cousins and others given its recent ups and downs and current production at quarterback.
Minnesota Vikings Continue Success Despite Loss of Cousins
The Vikings have found ways to stay afloat despite Cousins’ injury as trade deadline acquisition Joshua Dobbs has stepped in deftly at quarterback.
Dobbs took over for rookie Jaren Hall early in Minnesota’s Week 9 game against the Atlanta Falcons as the offense sputtered early and Hall went down with an injury.
Dobbs made the most of his opportunity, despite it coming just days after joining the organization, as he completed 20 of 30 pass attempts for 158 yards and two touchdowns while running seven times for 66 yards and another score. That performance helped the Vikings take a 31-28 victory and keep their win streak alive.
He then extended Minnesota’s streak of success to five games with a 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints last week, throwing for 268 yards and one touchdown while also running for 44 yards and another score.
Dobbs is also a free agent this offseason and could give the Vikings a decision to make between himself and Cousins if he maintains this level of play.
Dobbs will look to continue the Vikings’ win streak with another strong performance against the Broncos.
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