MINNESOTA, USA — A reported torn Achilles is tearing apart purple and gold hearts.
Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins could be out for the season if it's confirmed he tore his Achilles. He was carted off the field during the game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel, but doctors say sudden direction changes or velocity changes can lead to injury. Doctors tell KARE 11 that torn Achilles are most common in men in their 30's and 40's and that men are 4-5 times more likely to tear their Achilles than women.
Cousins has never missed a Vikings game due to injury, but now could have a long road to recovery. Doctors say surgery is recommended for fully torn Achilles because the recurrence rate is much lower.
"We are fearing an Achilles injury," Vikings Head Coach Kevin O'Connell acknowledged in a post-game news conference, but said Cousins is still being evaluated to confirm the severity of the injury. He is expected to get an MRI on Monday.
Cousins is in company with Aaron Rodgers. He tore his Achilles in the Jets season opener and it ended his season.
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