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MN Vikings New Veteran Carted Off With Injury
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- MN Vikings New Veteran Carted Off With Injury
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings kicked off their preseason action on Saturday against the Houston Texans . Of course the focal point was quarterback J.J. McCarthy and just how much he would play .
The answer to that question was just 12 plays, though he drove the offense down the field to set up a Will Reichard field goal. After some back and forth, and the backups taking over, Minnesota forced Houston's first punt.
Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Rondale Moore spurned the Chicago Bears to join the MN Vikings. He is among the leading options to return punts this season for Kevin O'Connell. Unfortunately he left on a cart after doing just that.
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Rondale Moore leaves for Minnesota Vikings
Last season Rondale Moore missed the entire season for the Atlanta Falcons after tearing his right ACL. The Texans punted to Minnesota, Moore returned the kick left-to-right, and never got up after being dragged down at the sideline.
— Isaiah Hager (@theisaiahhager) August 9, 2025
A few of the guys have walked to the opposite sideline to kneel/pray for Rondale Moore pic.twitter.com/Eg14k8VBTW
— Jason Harmon (@_jason_777) August 9, 2025
The tackle was awkward looking and seems like something between a hip-drop and horse collar variety. Moore immediately clutched his left knee area.
As Moore was carted to the locker room, it was his left leg that was fully extended on the cart, with his right leg bent. He left the field with a towel over his head and multiple teammates expressed their emotions while the veteran wideout remained on the ground.
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Moore was a second round pick in 2021 out of Purdue. When healthy he has shown exceptional speed in the open field. Unfortunately he has missed significant time in two of his four professional seasons and this didn't look good either.
Related: Minnesota Vikings Reveal Preseason Kick and Punt Return Plans
During Moore's final season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2023, he played in 17 games ( 8 starts ) and tallied 352 receiving yards on 40 receptions.
What now for MN Vikings receivers?
The Minnesota Vikings were already growing thin at wide receiver . Justin Jefferson is currently nursing a hamstring injury . Jordan Addison is suspended for the first three games of the season.
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Rondale Moore was not in line to work as a top-three wide receiver, but he has significant snaps over the course of his career and was going to factor in on special teams. Minnesota should have already been considering alternative options. Now that seems like a certainty.
Related: 4 Wide Receivers the Vikings Should Consider Acquiring
There are a few names that make a good deal of sense. There isn't a lot left on the open market, but general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah needs to leave no stone unturned. This roster is too talented to come up short on the fringes.
Currently Over the Cap has the MN Vikings still hoarding nearly $25 million in cap space . There aren't a ton of straightforward places for them to use that, and one may have just presented itself.
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