The Vikings’ incredible defense could be without arguably its best and most important player this Sunday against Jordan Love and the Packers.
Linebacker Blake Cashman is in the concussion protocol, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Wednesday. Historically, that often — but not always — leads to a player missing at least one game before they’re able to clear the protocol. It doesn’t exactly help that the Vikings have one fewer day of preparation than usual this week, coming out of their game on Monday night.
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“He did end up taking a hit — or, more than likely, giving a hit — later on in that game, and he is currently in the concussion protocol,” O’Connell said. “He’s doing really well, but I’ll keep you guys posted on him.”
Cashman has been incredible for the Vikings since joining his hometown team in 2024, but the Eden Prairie native and former Gopher has gone to even another level this season. PFF has him as the Vikings’ highest-graded player and the second-best linebacker in all of football, behind only Jacksonville’s Ventrell Miller.
Through eight games, Cashman leads the Vikings in tackles (76), is tied for the team lead in passes defended (7) and tackles for loss (8), and is third in sacks (4.5). He defends the run, gets after the quarterback on blitzes, and drops into coverage all at very high levels. His game against the Colts in Week 7 was one of the best individual games you’ll ever see an off-ball linebacker play.
Cashman is also the Vikings’ green dot player, which means he wears a microphone in his helmet and relays the calls from coordinator Brian Flores to his teammates on the field. That responsibility only makes his statistical production even more impressive.
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If Cashman is unable to play on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Ivan Pace Jr. would likely take on a larger role alongside Eric Wilson, with rookie Jake Golday mixing in for a few more snaps. Pace had a sack in 22 snaps on Monday night in what was maybe his best game since his rookie season in 2023. The Vikings have a number of players who could take over green-dot duties, including Pace, Wilson, Harrison Smith, and Josh Metellus.
Still, it would be a gigantic loss for Minnesota if Cashman can’t go.
The Vikings didn’t hold a regular practice on Wednesday (this week’s schedule is a bit different because of the Monday night game), but they did release an estimated injury report. In addition to Cashman, five other players were estimated as non-participants:
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TE T.J. Hockenson (wrist/chest)
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DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (ankle)
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WR Jauan Jennings (calf)
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OLB Kyle Van Noy (calf)
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QB Kyler Murray (hamstring)
Those are all notable names, so it’ll be worth keeping an eye on the injury reports on Thursday and Friday to see if those players can progress to limited participation and give themselves a chance to play on Sunday. The Vikings will obviously hope to have Hockenson available in Kirk Cousins’ first start since re-joining the franchise.
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QB Carson Wentz (ankle) and S Jay Ward (knee) were estimated as limited participants. Wentz could be in line to serve as Cousins’ backup if he’s available. S Theo Jackson (quad), who missed Monday’s game, was estimated as a full participant.
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
