The Minnesota Vikings have lost Christian Darrisaw, one of their top players and one of the best at his position in the NFL, for the season due to a left knee injury, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Darrisaw suffered the injury late Thursday night in the first half of the Vikings’ 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Tests conducted Friday in Minnesota revealed the need for season-ending surgery.

The team did not immediately confirm the news. Coach Kevin O’Connell will speak to reporters later Friday. Veteran David Quessenberry replaced him Thursday night and would be the most likely option for the Vikings to fill the position for the duration of the season.

The 25-year-old Darrisaw has been the Vikings’ starting left tackle since they took him No. 23 overall in the 2021 draft. He battled a series of injuries but performed well enough to earn a four-year contract extension worth up to $113 million.

Thursday night’s injury occurred while Darrisaw was blocking with 35 seconds left in the first half. Rams safety Jaylen McCollough fell in the side of his left knee, and team medical officials helped him walk straight to the locker room as the Vikings finished the half.

The Vikings had taken possession on their own 3-yard line, but all three had their timeouts. Instead of kneeling to end the half, O’Connell said he wanted to see if the offense could possibly get into position for a score. The Rams also had a timeout, which would have required the Vikings to kneel twice in a narrow space between the line of scrimmage and the end zone.

“They had a dime defense on the field,” O’Connell said, “so I thought maybe we could score a point.” I don’t know if we were necessarily targeted by that group out there, and I think if so, maybe the ball has a chance to (move). If we get out and roll with whatever timeouts we had left at the time, get those down first, then there’s an opportunity to maybe set some things up and not give them any chance. by doubling us there as they started the second half.”