Sweeping Roster Changes for MN Vikings Amidst Injuries
The Minnesota Vikings knocked off the Chicago Bears in Week 1 . J.J. McCarthy orchestrated a comeback well beyond his years , and Kevin O’Connell kept his composure to get the job done.
An initial injury report for the Vikings headed into Week 2 may not to be trusted. Those designations came from a walkthrough. Unfortunately Thursday’s roster moves present a greater cause for panic.
Vikings sign replacements with starters banged up
On Wednesday head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke on the current status of his team. It appeared that both Blake Cashman and Ty Chandler were going to miss significant time. The mysteriously sick Harrison Smith continues to ramp up, and Christian Darrisaw could be back this week. On Thursday, Minnesota made a boatload of roster moves.
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Both Cashman and Chandler landing on injured reserve is a blow and an expected one. Cashman underwent an MRI that revealed a significant hamstring injury. He pulled up chasing down Caleb Williams in Week 1 and never returned to the game. Chandler’s injury was less noticeable, but certainly still a problem.
Zavier Scott , who looked to outplay Chandler during the preseason, could quickly step into the return game. Rookie Tai Felton has experience there, and Isaiah Rodgers is someone that has been previously mentioned as a fit too. Of course, including Rodgers on another unit with the cornerback room already thin would be a risk.
Jeff Okudah was carter off at the end of the game and is now in concussion protocol. Minnesota signed Tyrek Funderburk to the practice squad, but it would be veteran Fabian Moreau who is elevated if he needs to miss time. Realistically, four cornerbacks on the 53-man roster was always a problem waiting to happen.
The linebacker duties vacated by Blake Cashman will be difficult to make up. He wore the green dot and, despite his injuries , has been a strong player when healthy. Minnesota can turn to Eric Wilson or put Dallas Turner in an expanded role.
Related: MN Vikings Bludgeoned by Week 1 Injuries
Josh Oliver also missed practice on Wednesday, and veteran Nick Vannett being brought back makes sense. He’s a seven-year veteran and played in 17 games for the Titans last season. Oliver players behind T.J. Hockenson in more of a blocking role, and Vannett can assume that position as well.
There will never be a season in which injuries don’t happen in the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings would have loved to see less of them in Week 1 despite the win. Now they’ll need to rally around the next man up.
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