NFL World Reacts to Devastating Injury for Vikings Rookie
Dustin Baker
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Minnesota Vikings rookie safety Lewis Cine suffered a lower leg fracture in his team’s 28-25 victory over the New Orleans Saints in London.
The Vikings selected Cine with the 32nd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, but it seems his breakout in the league will likely be postponed to 2023.
Minnesota has used Cine as a special teams asset through three games, only allowing the Georgia alumnus on the field for defense one time — a single snap in Week 2. And on special teams, Cine succumbed to the injury that will sideline him indefinitely. The following video is graphic.
Cine, 22, was a star at Georgia as a National Champion in 2021, First-Team All-SEC selectee, and National Championship Defensive MVP. Most believed Cine would start for the Vikings 2022 defense, but the plan was evidently to work him gradually.
His peers reacted to the news on Sunday.
Georgia Bulldogs reporters chimed in.
The same goes for The Athletic‘s reporter for the Vikings.
From former NFL TE and Georgia alumnus Benjamin Watson:
Former teammate Tykee Smith:
Current teammate Brian Asamoah:
And the Vikings team reporter confirmed Cine would remain in London for surgery.
Finally, Kevin O’Connell described the situation to reporters:
Without Cine, the Vikings will rely heavier on backup safeties Josh Metellus (who played wonderfully in Week 3) and Myles Dorn from the practice squad.
The Vikings play the Chicago Bears in Week 5 at U.S. Bank Stadium, seeking a 4-1 record for the first time since 2012 (although they started 5-0 in 2016).
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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).
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