Aug 14, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Bisi Johnson (81) catches the ball as Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) defends in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings wideout Bisi Johnson left Saturday’s preseason game against the Denver Broncos with an apparent leg injury, and the Vikings coaching staff wasn’t optimistic about his prognosis after the game.
On Sunday, the worst was confirmed, according to Tom Pelissero from NFL Network. Ian Rapaport verified the unfortunate news moments later.
Johnson missed all of the 2021 season with the same injury.
The Vikings suffered several injuries in Denver. Jalen Nailor, T.Y. McGill, Josh Metellus, Troy Dye, and Brian Asamoah were all hobbled against the Broncos, although none are feared as serious as Johnson’s malady.
Johnson was trending to make the Vikings 53-man roster next week as a WR5. Justin Jefferson, Adam Thielen, K.J. Osborn, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette may have accounted for the first four WR jobs, but Johnson was on track for a roster spot.
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Wide receivers Jalen Nailor, Myron Mitchell, or Trishton Jackson will be on tap to replace Johnson, as the Vikings announce the final regular season roster on Tuesday. After the game, Vikings skipper Kevin O’Connell said Johnson “earned a right, in my opinion, to be on our football team,” increasing the emotional blow for the 25-year-old.
The Vikings found Johnson in the 7th Round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Colorado State alumnus has caught 45 passes for 483 yards and three touchdowns in his career. During the 2019 and 2020 seasons, the Vikings never really preached the utility of a big-name WR3, so Johnson adopted the role as his, to a degree. And after the 2021 torn ACL, the 2022 campaign was supposed to be revival.
The 2022 season is also the final year of Johnson’s rookie contract.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).