Dobbs replaces injured Hall, leads Vikings to win

ATLANTA — Quarterback Josh Dobbs led the Minnesota Vikings to a thrilling 31-28 comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, less than a week after he was acquired in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals.

Dobbs was thrust into the game after starting quarterback Jaren Hall suffered a concussion in the first quarter.

Hall suffered the injury at the end of the Vikings’ second possession after a 3-yard scramble on third down. He was hit hard by Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah and linebacker Kaden Elliss, and the back of his helmet hit the turf hard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Players and officials immediately began signaling for medical personnel, although Hall eventually walked off the field under his own power.

Dobbs was expected to replace Kirk Cousins, who tore his Achilles last week, long-term but came into Sunday as the backup. He finished 20 of 30 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns, including a 6-yard pass to Brandon Powell with 20 seconds left to take the lead.

The Vikings also lost wide receiver K.J. Osborn to a concussion with 4:06 remaining in the second quarter. Just after pulling in a 13-yard pass from Dobbs to convert a third-and-8, Osborn was hit in the head by Okudah. Osborn lay motionless for several moments and was eventually surrounded by the entire Vikings team on the field.

Medical officials initially took out a backboard, but Osborn eventually stood up and walked over to a cart under his own power. He gave a thumbs-up as he was driven into the Vikings’ locker room.

The injury left the Vikings without two of their top three wide receivers. Justin Jefferson remains on IR because of a hamstring injury he suffered last month.

The Vikings began the season with veteran Nick Mullens as Cousins’ primary backup, but Mullens has been on injured reserve since Oct. 11 because of a back injury. Dobbs was the only other quarterback on the active roster Sunday.

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