Vikings Offensive Line Picture With Oli Udoh Out For the Season
Vikings offensive tackle Oli Udoh will miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn quad tendon, head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed after Thursday's game against the Eagles.
"That is very, very unfortunate with the offseason Oli’s had and his willingness to step in on a short week and compete like he did (against the Eagles)," O'Connell said. "All the guy does is work and puts his head down every single day. I’m a huge fan of Oli’s and hopefully look forward to him making a full recovery from that injury. He’ll have a procedure to fix that here in the next week or so, don’t have those details yet, but we’ll be right there every step of the way with our medical staff and support of Oli as he goes through that."
Udoh is a 2019 sixth-round pick out of Elon who started 16 games for the Vikings in 2021 and was brought back this offseason to serve as important tackle depth. He started on Thursday night because Christian Darrisaw was unable to play through an ankle injury that he tested out in warmups. When Udoh went down in the fourth quarter, the Vikings turned to veteran David Quessenberry at left tackle for the rest of the game.
With Udoh officially going on injured reserve shortly, the Vikings will have an open spot on their 53-man roster. The most logical candidate to fill that spot might be Hakeem Adeniji, who is on the practice squad. Adeniji has 22 career starts (including playoffs) and has experience at both tackle spots, as well as right guard.
Update: That roster spot will be going to talented guard Dalton Risner, who the Vikings are signing to a one-year, $4 million deal.
The Vikings will be hoping to have Darrisaw available for this Sunday's game against the Chargers and star edge rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Quessenberry figures to serve as his backup, although Blake Brandel — who has been working at guard this year — has previous experience at left tackle.
For as long as Austin Schlottmann is starting at center with Garrett Bradbury out, Brandel is likely the top backup at all three interior spots and Quessenberry can serve as the swing tackle. The Vikings will need to add an offensive lineman to their active roster for additional depth, whether that's someone on their practice squad (Adeniji, Tyrese Robinson, or Henry Byrd) or from elsewhere.
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