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Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell hopes the 2025 first-round pick could be back in action after missing just two games, both in Europe. The Vikings oppose the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday in Dublin before facing the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 5 in London. Minnesota then has a bye before hosting the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 19.
“We’re hoping to be able to use the bye as part of that timeline to have Donovan back as soon as possible,” O’Connell said. “But he’s off to a great start in his career — everything we hoped he would be. And (Sunday) was a big-time day for so many layers for him as a young player, showing his toughness, showing his commitment and being a huge part of our ability to not only run the football but just be effective on offense.”
Jackson got hurt on Sept. 14 against the Atlanta Falcons and was listed as limited in practice for part of last week. O’Connell said the team decided to let him oppose the Bengals when it was determined he would “not do any further harm,” and Jackson appeared in 93.3 percent of the Vikings’ offensive plays.
O’Connell said, “We’re already down some guys in the interior who will return this week, but I thought Donovan was fantastic on the field, and what that means within the standing amongst the locker room and his teammates is just fantastic.”
Jackson, 22, was the 25th overall pick in the 2025 draft out of Ohio State. He has started all three of his games as a pro, appearing on 97.5 percent of the offensive snaps.
Minnesota (2-1) was without starting center Ryan Kelly and backup tackle Justin Skule vs. Cincinnati, as both were in concussion protocol. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw made his season debut after recovering from knee surgery he underwent last October. He missed 12 regular-season games during his rehab along with the Vikings’ wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Jan. 13.
–Field Level Media
