Vikings’ Kirk Cousins appears to suffer serious calf or Achilles injury vs. Packers, injury expert says

Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was carted off late in Minnesota’s Week 8 victory over the Packers due to what the team called an ankle injury. It’s probable, however, that Cousins actually hurt his calf or Achilles tendon during a drop-back, according to CBS Sports HQ injury expert Marty Jaramillo, and may be required to miss the remainder of 2023.

Cousins was seen limping on the sidelines after suffering a non-contact injury in the fourth quarter, and replay of the apparent injury was “consistent with (an) Achilles tear,” Jaramillo told CBSSports.com Sunday. He is “90% sure” Cousins’ calf or Achilles was affected, estimating either a 4-6-week recovery from a calf strain or, more likely, a season-ending rehab thanks to an Achilles tear.

“The drop-back to push-off is where the injury occurs,” Jaramillo explained. “The moment in time from deceleration to push-off is where the Achilles and calf muscle are at maximal load. A calf strain is the best-case scenario, but the amount of pain and shock he was in, plus the review of the replay, brings me to suspect (it’s the) Achilles.”

Cousins, who was fresh off a productive prime-time performance in a Vikings upset of the 49ers, entered Sunday’s game having never missed a start due to injury in his 12-year NFL career.