Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins left Sunday’s 24-10 win over the Packers midway through the fourth quarter, with Ian Rapoport from NFL Network, posting on X that Cousins suffered a torn Achilles. Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said the team was “fearing an Achilles injury” for Cousins, and a subsequent MRI will be taken to confirm the diagnosis.
The play in which the injury to Cousins occurred took place with 9 minutes, 50 seconds remaining with the Vikings holding a 24-10 lead. As Cousins stepped up in the pocket on a third-down dropback, his right leg buckled and he was sacked. Cousins managed to stand up on his own but hopped off the field while holding his right leg in the air.
The 35-year-old Cousins has missed only one NFL start for health reasons in his career; he was replaced by rookie quarterback Jaren Hall. Veteran backup Nick Mullens is on injured reserve because of a back injury. Cousins had completed 23 of 31 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns before being removed from the game.
Cousins is set to become a free agent after the season, agreeing to table negotiations with the Vikings on a contract extension last spring. Cousins entered Week 8 ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and first in touchdown passes.
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