The Vikings’ locker room wasn’t celebrating after they defeated the Packers 24-10 Sunday afternoon.
Instead, players were praying for Kirk Cousins after the quarterback reportedly suffered a right Achilles tear in the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
“I can’t describe it,” Vikings safety Harrison Smith said of the feeling in the locker room. “You really just have to experience it to know.”
Things were “pretty emotional” inside the locker room, with “multiple players [and] leaders tearing up” over how much Cousins means to the team, according to The Athletic.
“That’s our leader,” offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw said. “The guy is just who you want to be your quarterback.
“Just to see something happen to him it kind of just hurts a little bit. It takes away from this win maybe a little bit, but we’re praying for Kirk.”
Cousins suffered a non-contact injury in the fourth quarter and hopped on one leg over to the bench.
He was seen clapping for his team as he was carted off the field.
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed that Cousins is being evaluated for an Achilles injury, and praised the 35-year-old quarterback for his leadership.
“We are fearing an Achilles injury,” O’Connell said after the game. “The severity of that, I do not know at this point, but I know that’s what our fear is in the moment and we’ll confirm that as soon as possible.
“Every single player in our locker room is thinking about our leader, our guy right now.
“Just so proud of him. Proud of the way he’s played all year long. That will not change the level I believe he played to this year and what he’s meant to me and this organization.”
Wide receiver K.J. Osborn said Cousins “is everything to this locker room,” while emphasizing the importance of his leadership.
Rookie receiver Jordan Addison agreed.
“His leadership, that’s just a guy that we need around,” Addison said. “But even though he’s down, we know he’s still going to be around.
“He’s still going to help the quarterback room out, he’s still going to help the defense, he’s still going to help the receivers.”
Cousins went 23 of 31 for 274 yards and two touchdowns before the injury.
Jaren Hall, a rookie out of BYU, finished the game.
It’s unclear if the Vikings will stick with Hall or try to acquire a quarterback before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Cousins, who is a free agent after this season, has never missed an NFL game due to injury.
The only contest he missed was due to COVID.
Minnesota improved to 4-4 on the season and have now won three straight games.
The Vikings visit the Falcons on Nov. 5.