Vikings Linebacker All but Confirms His Return
In all likelihood, the Minnesota Vikings will insert one of their top defenders back into the lineup this weekend, as the clues have aligned to point at linebacker Blake Cashman’s return after a four-game absence.
Creeping closer to full strength, the Minnesota Vikings are likely to welcome back a key linebacker this weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles.
No stranger to injuries, Cashman pushed out a social media hint this week, indicating his return was imminent.
Vikings LB Blake Cashman Should Be Back in Week 7
Nature is healing within Minnesota’s lineup.
Blake Cashman Does the Thing on Instagram
Cashman made it pretty straightforward on social media, posting a picture of himself in uniform, with this caption: “Back to the bank. #cashin.”
Here’s the full post:
That picture and caption don’t leave much to the imagination, presumably a precursor to Cashman’s return this Sunday against the Eagles.
If that is not correct, well, the Instagram post is a little weird and misleading because Minnesota won’t play at U.S Bank Stadium — back to the bank — for two and a half weeks.
The Reporting Matches the Social Media
Don’t buy Instagram fodder? That’s fair.
However, the social media nugget aligns with the leaguewide reporting. CBS Sports‘ Matt Zenith tweeted Tuesday morning, five days before Vikings-Eagles, “Vikings standout linebacker Blake Cashman is currently expected to be able to return to action and play this week vs. the Eagles after missing the last four games due to a hamstring injury, sources tell CBS Sports. Cashman led Minnesota with 112 tackles last season.”
That’s dual momentum — the smoking gun from the player personally and Zenith’s announcement.
There isn’t much mystery. Cashman will play this weekend.
Vikings Defense Nears Full Strength
Through five games of 2025, Minnesota has fielded a defense, at least at times, without Harrison Smith, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jeff Okudah, and Cashman. The offense has significantly more injuries, but ailments on defense cannot be ignored.
Yet, this Sunday, against the Super Bowl champions, there’s a decent chance that defensive coordinator Brian Flores has all his personnel, sans Van Ginkel, who has an unknown timetable to return from a neck injury.
The Vikings are healing and somehow still boast a winning record despite a plethora of damning injuries out of the gate in 2025.
The Defense By the Numbers thru 5 Games
The defense Cashman will reunite with in Week 7? Not bad. Here’s the statistical skinny:
- Passing Defense EPA/Play: 1st
- Defense EPA/Play: 2nd
- Points Allowed: 5th
- Passing Defense DVOA: 6th
- Yards Allowed: 6th
- Overall Defense DVOA: 9th
- Rush Defense DVOA: 23rd
- Rush Defense EPA/Play: 25th
In theory, these marks should climb even higher with Cashman back in the saddle.
More on Cashman
NFL writer Adam La Rose added more Cashman details this week: “Minnesota must activate him within that span to avoid having Cashman revert to season-ending IR. Provided things go as planned over the coming days, the 29-year-old could be back in place as early as Sunday, something which would be welcomed by the team.”
“Cashman operated as a full-time starter last season, his debut campaign with his hometown team. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native set a new career high in tackles (112) and sacks (4.5) along the way, illustrating his importance to the team’s defense.”
Minnesota is a 2.5-point home underdog this weekend.
La Rose continued, “A first-team role should again be in store for Cashman once he is activated. The former fifth-rounder is under contract for next season, but none of his scheduled base salary for 2026 ($6.9MM) is guaranteed.”
“As such, managing to remain healthy the rest of the way will be key for Cashman as he looks to reprise his role from 2024 as a productive contributor and in doing so help his chances of remaining in Minnesota for at least one more year. DC Brian Flores’ unit ranks fifth in points allowed, and adding Cashman will help it remain among the league’s best through the rest of the campaign.”
Eric Wilson, who filled in commendably for Cashman, will presumably return to the bench, though some have speculated that Wilson may remain in the starting lineup, with Ivan Pace Jr. perhaps experiencing a reduced snap count. Pace Jr. has uncharacteristically struggled in 2025, missing tackles in the season’s first few weeks.
On the other hand, Wilson has served as a beacon of dependability.
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