Jaren Hall, the rookie quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, suffered a concussion in his first NFL start against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. He was forced to leave the game early and was replaced by Joshua Dobbs, who was acquired by the Vikings just five days ago. Hall’s injury status is uncertain, as he will have to go through the concussion protocol and there is no timeline for his return. The Vikings are already dealing with the loss of their star quarterback Kirk Cousins, who tore his Achilles tendon in Week 8 and will miss the rest of the season.
Recap of Jaren Hall’s Injury
Hall, a fifth-round pick out of BYU, got his first opportunity to start for the Vikings after Cousins’ season-ending injury. He showed some promise in his debut, completing 5 of 6 passes for 78 yards and rushing for 11 yards. However, his day ended abruptly in the first quarter, when he took a big hit from Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah while trying to scramble for a touchdown near the end of the first quarter. He stayed down on the field, and his teammates immediately called for medical assistance. He was able to get up and walk off the field under his own power, but he was evaluated in the blue medical tent on the sideline and then taken to the locker room. The Vikings announced that he was ruled out for the remainder of the game with a concussion.
Update on Jaren Hall’s Injury Status
As of now, there is no update on Hall’s injury status, as he will have to follow the NFL’s concussion protocol before he can return to practice or play. The protocol involves a series of steps that include resting, light aerobic exercise, football-specific activities, non-contact drills, and full clearance by an independent neurological consultant. The duration of the protocol varies depending on the severity of the concussion and the player’s recovery. Some players can return within a week, while others may take longer or even miss the rest of the season. Hall’s availability for the Vikings’ next game against the Los Angeles Rams on November 12 is unknown at this point.
Vikings’ Injury Woes with Quarterbacks
Hall’s injury adds to the Vikings’ injury woes with their quarterbacks, as they have already lost Cousins, who was having a sensational season before tearing his Achilles tendon against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. Cousins had thrown for 2,072 yards, 18 touchdowns, and three interceptions, with a 70.5% completion rate and a 112.9 passer rating. He was leading the Vikings to a 4-4 record after a 1-4 start, and was a candidate for the MVP award. His injury was a huge blow to the Vikings’ playoff hopes, as they had to turn to their inexperienced backup quarterbacks.
The Vikings traded for Dobbs, a former Arizona Cardinals starter, on November 1, hoping that he could provide some stability and experience to their quarterback situation. Dobbs had started eight games for the Cardinals this season, filling in for the injured Kyler Murray. He had completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,569 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions, and had kept the Cardinals competitive with a 4-4 record. Dobbs came in for Hall against the Falcons, and completed 14 of 22 passes for 156 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed for 28 yards and a touchdown, and led the Vikings to a 27-24 win. Dobbs is likely to be the Vikings’ starter for the foreseeable future, unless Hall recovers quickly or the Vikings make another move.
The Vikings also have Nick Mullens, a veteran who is on injured reserve with a back injury, and Sean Mannion, who was signed to the practice squad after Mullens’ injury. Mullens is eligible to return in Week 10, while Mannion could be elevated to the active roster if needed. The Vikings also have running back Cam Akers, who is their emergency quarterback in case of a worst-case scenario.
Conclusion
Jaren Hall’s injury is another setback for the Vikings, who are already without their franchise quarterback Kirk Cousins. Hall suffered a concussion in his first NFL start, and his status is uncertain. The Vikings will have to rely on Joshua Dobbs, who was traded to the team last week, to lead their offense. The Vikings are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, as they are 5-4 and in the second place in the NFC North. However, they will have to overcome their quarterback injuries and face a tough schedule ahead, which includes games against the Rams, the Packers, the San Francisco 49ers, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings will need their backup quarterbacks to step up and perform well, and hope that Hall can recover soon and resume his promising career.
