The Minnesota Vikings (5-2) are fully aware of the threat that the arduous NFC North presents and are doing everything possible to prop up their roster for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign. Following the season-ending injury sustained by Christian Darrisaw, the team is quickly plugging in Sam Darnold's blind side after trading for Jacksonville Jaguars left tackle Cam Robinson, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Minnesota is sending back a conditional 2026 fifth-round draft pick that could become a fourth in order to acquire the veteran offensive lineman, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Vikings also receive a conditional 2026 seventh-rounder, which may not come to fruition depending on playing time.

Fortifying the trenches is crucial, and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might have just done that. It will cost the team, though, since the 2025 free agent will earn more than $9 million the rest of the season.

Cam Robinson could be enough to keep the Vikings in the playoff race

Robinson, a 2017 second-round draft pick who spent his entire career with the Jaguars to this point, is a solid pass-blocker. His performance might not be up to the standard that fans were used to seeing from Christian Darrisaw, but he is surely a better alternative than anyone anticipated after learning of the devastating injury news. Robinson has logged 367 offensive snaps this season, allowing four sacks and 15 total pressures.

Following two consecutive losses and the loss of Darrisaw, the Vikings found themselves staring down an unfavorable situation. They currently occupy third place in their division and are just one game clear of the Chicago Bears. Despite a manageable stretch of upcoming matchups that consists of the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars (that could be more interesting now) and the Tennessee Titans, Minnesota is not taking any chances.

Rather than trying to address the left tackle position in-house, Adofo-Mensah opted to do business with one of the worst teams ahead of the Nov. 5 NFL trade deadline. Both the Vikings and their fans are eager to see how this new acquisition fares. Cam Robinson missed last Sunday's game after clearing concussion protocol but should be ready to debut for the Purple and Gold in Week 9 versus the Colts.