3 Injury Updates for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up joint practices with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday and will remain in Cleveland for a preseason showdown against the same team on Saturday.
3 Injury Updates for Vikings
The week has been bombarded by terrible news for the purple team, with J.J. McCarthy’s meniscus tear leading the way. He’ll miss all or most of the 2024 regular season.
After joint practices ended, head coach Kevin O’Connell updated injuries statuses of three crucial players.
Jordan Addison (WR)
On the same day J.J. McCarthy had surgery to repair his meniscus, sidelining him indefinitely, Jordan Addison fell injured, too, and was carted off from joint practices. And because the week had devolved so poorly for the Vikings, fans naturally feared the worst, especially with the word “cart” involved.
But Addison fears were much ado about nothing, as O’Connell said Thursday that his second-year wideout avoided major injury. The young skipper didn’t reveal the precise details of the injury, but reports indicated the ankle as the culprit, and per O’Connell, not regular season-threatening.
Addison likely won’t play in Saturday’s preseason game and might’ve sat in the first place as starters could rested on the whole.
Status: Avoided Serious Injury
Blake Cashman (ILB)
O’Connell also mentioned a new injury for linebacker Blake Cashman, who joined the franchise in March. He hurt his finger on Wednesday and evidently needed stitches thereafter.
Like Addison, Cashman should be good to go before too long, as his ailment was minor. Cashman replaces Jordan Hicks this season, who coincidentally joined the Browns via free agency, the team Minnesota will play this weekend.
Status: Good to Go with Finger Stitches
Shaquill Griffin (CB)
In what feels like eons ago, because of various tidbits of bad Vikings news, Griffin injured his hamstring three weeks ago. Since, the team hasn’t provided many updates on his prognosis, but O’Connell said Thursday that the goal is to have Griffin back by the start of the regular season, which is 24 days away.
He did not play in Preseason Game No. 1 and probably won’t see action this Saturday. However, Griffin is on tap to start per Minnesota’s unofficial depth chart at the moment, so keen eyes have monitored his recovery, and O’Connell’s update was helpful.
If Griffin’s recovery bleeds into the regular season, the Vikings would likely start Akayleb Evans at cornerback in his spot — or hope that a deal with recently hosted free agent Stephon Gilmore comes to fruition.
Status: Trending to Be Ready for the Regular Season
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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