Kirk Cousins injury updates: Vikings QB's surgery on torn Achilles was a 'success'

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles, the team confirmed Monday, which will almost assuredly end his season.

Cousins exited Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers early in the fourth quarter, and Vikings officials reported after the game that they feared he had suffered a torn Achilles.

Cousins was looking to throw on a third-and-19 play when he went down for a 4-yard loss. He limped off the field as the Vikings field goal unit came out onto the field.

"We're going to have to be there for Kirk every step of the way. And vice versa," O'Connell said, adding he's confident "that Kirk will continue to be the leader of our football team" even if he isn't playing.

Cousins completed 23 of his 31 passes on the day for 274 yards and two touchdowns before giving way to rookie Jaren Hall. The fifth-round pick out of BYU completed 3 of 4 passes for 23 yards and helped finish off a 24-10 victory over the Packers.

Cousins, 35, is in the final year of his contract.

Here's what we know about Cousins' injury and the Vikings' future:

Kirk Cousin: 'Surgery was a success'

Cousins said surgery to repair his Achilles tendon was a "success."

Cousins shared a health update on his X account Wednesday, just days after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury during the Vikings' win over the Packers on Sunday. His update was accompanied by a photo of Cousins giving a thumbs up in a hospital bed with a purple cast – Vikings colors – on his right leg.

"Grateful for your prayers, Dr. Coetzee’s abilities, and our medical team," Cousins said. "Would appreciate continued prayers! One day at a time."

Cousins was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday.

Kirk Cousins diagnosis confirmed

While the team said an MRI on Monday confirmed the torn Achilles diagnosis, it said a timeline for recovery and details for his upcoming surgery would be determined later this week.

The injury puts Minnesota in unfamiliar territory, as Cousins has started 87 games for the team since arriving in 2018 and missed only two starts during that span: one when the team rested its starters in the 2019 campaign and another in 2021 after testing positive for COVID-19.

Vikings trade for QB Joshua Dobbs

Fifth-round pick Jaren Hall stepped in for Cousins on Sunday, but Minnesota went out and got another quarterback ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline.

The Vikings traded a sixth-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday in exchange for quarterback Joshua Dobbs and a seventh-round pick. Dobbs lost his starting job in Arizona after the Cardinals lost their last five games. He has thrown for six touchdowns an five interceptions during that stretch.

Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell said Hall is in line to start for the Vikings on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Veteran backup Nick Mullens, who stepped in for an injured Cousins in Week 17 last season, was placed on the injured reserve earlier this month and is eligible to return in Week 10.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins' surgery on torn Achilles was a 'success'