MRI Confirms Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Has Torn Achilles Tendon

Cousins is out for the season, as expected. Has he thrown his final pass in a Vikings uniform?

An MRI on Monday confirmed what was already expected: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins has a torn Achilles tendon, knocking him out for the remainder of the 2023 season.

"Kirk Cousins underwent an MRI this morning at Twin Cities Orthopedics that confirmed an Achilles tendon tear," the team announced in a statement. "The timeline and details of his upcoming surgery will be determined this week. The team will continue to provide updates."

Shortly after Cousins' injury, it became very clear that this was a torn Achilles. A slow-motion replay on the FOX broadcast showed the unmistakeable pop in that area that has taken out other high-profile athletes like Aaron Rodgers and Kevin Durant in recent years. The MRI simply confirms what everyone already knew.

This is a brutal break for Cousins, who has been the epitome of durability during his NFL career. Before this, he had never missed a game due to injury. Set to hit free agency after this season, he may have thrown his final pass as a member of the Vikings. Unfortunately, it's possible — and perhaps likely — that this will affect the market for Cousins next year.

It's also brutal timing for the Vikings, who have won three straight games and looked like a team capable of taking off in the second half. Cousins has been playing some of the best football of his career, even without Justin Jefferson during these last three games. The Vikings' offensive line, their non-Jefferson pass-catchers like T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison, and their Brian Flores-led defense have all been shining during this winning streak.

Now the next steps are unclear. The trade deadline is Tuesday, but it seems likely that the Vikings will roll with rookie Jaren Hall to see what they have in him. Meanwhile, Cousins will get surgery soon and begin the process of recovering for the 2024 season.

---

Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all season long.

Subscribe to the Inside the Vikings newsletter

Follow Will Ragatz on Twitter