Mon Sep 23 14:48:54 UTC 2024: ## Vikings’ Hot Start Threatened by Darnold’s Knee Injury

**MINNEAPOLIS, MN** – The Minnesota Vikings are riding high after a dominant 3-0 start to the season, fueled by a potent offense and a stifling defense. However, a potential injury to starting quarterback Sam Darnold could throw a wrench into their plans.

Darnold, who threw for four touchdowns in a Week 3 blowout of the Houston Texans, left the game with a knee injury. While he insists the injury is minor and is scheduled for an MRI on Monday, NFL executives remain concerned.

“If something happens there, I think they are f–ked,” one executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando. “You can’t win with Nick Mullens.”

The Vikings are already without first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy, who is out for the season. A quarterback carousel plagued the team in 2023, culminating in a 7-10 record. Should Darnold’s injury be serious, the Vikings could be forced to rely on Mullens, their third-string quarterback, which would significantly impact their playoff chances.

“The combination of what Minnesota is doing defensively and what they are doing in the passing game… s–t, they’re for real,” one assistant coach told Sando.

This week’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers will be a crucial test for the Vikings. A healthy Darnold could solidify Minnesota’s status as a legitimate contender in the NFC, while a reliance on Mullens could signal a return to the inconsistency that plagued the team last season.

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