National Football League

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins suffered Achilles tear, MRI confirms

Updated Oct. 30, 2023 2:11 p.m. ET

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An MRI has confirmed what the Vikings feared about the injury Kirk Cousins suffered on Sunday.

An MRI showed the star quarterback suffered a torn Achilles, the team confirmed Monday. The injury will end Cousins' 2023 season. 

Cousins suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of the Vikings' 24-10 win over the Packers at Lambeau Field. He walked gingerly to the sideline after getting sacked for a second consecutive play, a series that ended with Green Bay's Karl Brooks blocking Greg Joseph's 44-yard field-goal attempt. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell said the feared Cousins suffered an Achilles injury when he spoke with reporters following Sunday's game. 

With Cousins suffering a season-ending injury, the quarterback might have played his final game with the Vikings on Sunday. He's in the final year of his contract and told reporters before the season that he knew his job was "on the line" in 2023. He performed well before the injury, throwing for a league-leading 18 touchdown passes, and was second in passing yards (2,331) and passer rating (103.8) through Sunday's games. The Vikings can't place the franchise tag on Cousins this offseason, making him an unrestricted free agent. 

Backup quarterback Jaren Hall, a rookie fifth-round pick from BYU, replaced Cousins for the conclusion of Sunday's game. In terms of other quarterback options, the 4-4 Vikings are expecting Nick Mullens to return from his back injury sometime in November. They also recently signed Sean Mannion to their practice squad and worked out Colt McCoy.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Kirk Cousins

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NFL - Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers - 10/29/2023