Vikings Training Camp on Tuesday? ‘Somber.’
Dustin Baker
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An optimistic ambiance persisted at Minnesota Vikings training camp for about one week.
Players clawed their way up the depth chart, dazzling highlights hit social media, and the NFC North champs began to spin momentum heading into the first preseason game next week.
Vikings Training Camp on Tuesday? ‘Somber.’
But Tuesday was a different story as upstart wide receiver Trishton Jackson was injured and had to be taken off the field on a cart — never a good omen.
The first brush with adversity at camp this year indeed, Minnesota will now get back to basics and hope to rekindle the undeniably positive vibe from camp’s first seven days.
Vikings.com senior editor Craig Peters described the Jackson incident Tuesday, “A somber hush fell over the Vikings practice Tuesday during 1-on-1 drills between receivers and cornerbacks. What is normally a part of Vikings Training Camp practice that generates oohs and aahs from fans became quiet after receiver Trishton Jackson injured his right knee at the end of a deep pass play.”
Before the injury, Jackson was angling for a 53-man roster spot, possibly the team’s WR5 role in 2023, and folks will now wait to learn the extent of his ailment. Peters continued, “The Health and Performance staff tended to the receiver for several minutes before he was helped to a medical cart. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, receivers coach Keenan McCardell and assistant receivers coach Tony Sorrentino joined Jackson’s teammates in coming over to offer their well wishes.”
Jackson is also tight with Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn, making the injury news even gloomier.
“Jackson has spent the past two seasons as an appreciated member of the practice squad and had enjoyed a nice start to camp. The team tried to keep its focus on finishing the practice,” Peters concluded.
Although speculative, an injury like Jackson’s, plus the cart involved, typically implies the worst — and perhaps the evident severity of the situation created the ominous mood. Cornerback Andrew Booth and running back Alexander Mattison were also hobbled at practice, but their injuries paled in comparison to Jackson’s, at least to the naked eye.
Jackson joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2020, sticking with the Los Angeles Rams for a year and a half. The Rams cut Jackson loose late in the summer of 2021, and he became a Viking thereafter.
This summer felt like Jackson’s first real chance at the 53-man roster, previously living on the practice squad.
Jackson turned 25 last March.
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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 Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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