Vikings: Kirk Cousins Suffers Devastating Achilles Injury in Week 8 vs. Packers; Potential Replacements Revealed

(Photo : Michael Reaves/Getty Images) GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - Kirk Cousins (#8) of the Minnesota Vikings huddles with the team during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on October 29, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

What should have been a celebration turned into an anxious moment as the Minnesota Vikings lost Kirk Cousins to what is believed to be a season-ending injury.

The Vikings rolled to their third straight victory after taking care of Green Bay Packers, 24-10, but not without a huge scare in the fourth quarter after their star quarterback's right leg buckled while orchestrating the offense with nine minutes remaining in the game.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert wrote that Cousins suffered an Achilles injury, although an MRI will still be conducted to confirm.

Seifert also reported a possible replacement for the injured 35-year-old QB.

Kevin O’Connell is not yet committing to Jaren Hall as starter if Kirk Cousins is in fact out for the season. Veteran Nick Mullens could be an option if his injured back continues to improve, he said.
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 29, 2023

"Kevin O'Connell is not yet committing to Jaren Hall as starter if Kirk Cousins is in fact, out for the season. Veteran Nick Mullens could be an option if his injured back continues to improve," he said.

Cousins' teammates are in disbelief

Not having Cousins on the field is a rare moment for the Vikings as he only missed two games since 2018: one for rest and the other due to COVID-19.

"It was just weird," center Garrett Bradbury said of his teammate. "Whenever the Vikings are out there, Kirk's out there."

Right tackle Brian O'Neill is also at a loss in explaining what happened to Cousins, given how healthy he has always been.

"He lives and breathes being durable and out there and available for us. It's surprising and it hurts," he said.

O'Connell is bracing for the worst but paid tribute to what Cousins has done for them in the first half of the season.

"Whatever is the case, if we don't have him for one snap or for the duration of our season, that will not change ... the level that Kirk Cousins played this year and ultimately what he meant to me and our organization."