Vikings Provide Update on Lewis Cine’s Career
Dustin Baker
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Rookie safety Lewis Cine broke his leg in Week 4 against the New Orleans Saints. The Minnesota Vikings provided an update on his status this after week after surgery — and it’s good news.
Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press tweeted on Wednesday, “Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Lewis Cine looks to be on target to return in 2023.”
The news was especially encouraging as Cine’s career seemed in limbo amid the last few days. His injury was a compound fracture, and Cine remained in England at the Cleveland Clinic London for care.
The Vikings used the 32nd overall pick on Cine, a highly touted prospect from the National Champion Georgia Bulldogs. Minnesota even controversially traded back to land the defender. But he didn’t see much action early on for the Vikings during the regular season, at least not on defense. From the start of the season until Cine’s injury, he played 34 special teams snaps and two on defense. He was evidently being eased into Ed Donatell’s 3-4 defense.
And now, that acclimation to Minnesota’s system will wait about 11 months as Cine sets sights on his sophomore campaign for revival.
Teammate Josh Metellus said about Cine this week, “Just seeing the smile on his face after what happened, that just livens us up more. It was emotional, but it was good to see him smile. It was more happy than anything. We sang him happy birthday as a team.”
Cine turned 23 on Wednesday, and teammates serenaded him via Zoom call.
Instead of Cine, the Vikings will continue to use Camryn Bynum at free safety, a second-year talent from the University of California. After starting strong safety Harrison Smith, Minnesota also has the aforementioned Metellus, Myles Dorn, and Mike Brown on the roster (and practice squad).
Cine’s injury doesn’t particularly impact the Vikings short-term plans as it was unclear when he’d see the field on defense. However, Minnesota selected Cine in April’s draft to prepare for life after Harrison Smith, who will turn 34 in February. In that regard, it was vitally important for Cine and the Vikings to receive promising recovery news out of London.
The Vikings host the Chicago Bears in Week 5 and are seven-point favorites to knock off their divisional foe.
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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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