Vikings Roster Tweaks

Injuries forced the Minnesota Vikings to make some tweaks to the roster. Linebacker Blake Cashman left Monday night’s win over the Chicago Bears with a strained hamstring. Running back Ty Chandler suffered a knee injury. Vikings special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said that Chandler injured his knee on the opening kickoff. He famously took the final Bears kickoff out of the end zone to get the game clock on the right side of the two-minute warning. So, he played the entire game with a knee injury that will keep him off the field for a while. Cashman and Chandler are headed to injured reserve. Since players on injured reserve must miss at least four weeks, both will be sidelined until after the Week 6 bye. 

An injury sidelined Blake Cashman last season for three games. He was seriously missed as his versatility was impossible to replace. The Vikings lost two of those three games. Now faced with a similar situation this season, the free agent signing of Eric Wilson could prove to be one of the best additions of the offseason. He might not have the range of Cashman but he’s a smart, experienced, and talented linebacker. Last year, the Vikings had to greatly alter their defense to deal with the loss of Cashman. This year, it’s not an optimum deal but they should be able to carry on without much upheaval. Wilson was/is a huge addition to the Vikings defense. 

To fill the roster spots of Blake Cashman and Ty Chandler, the Vikings promoted receiver Tim Jones and tight end Nick Vannett from the practice squad. The team also signed linebacker Sione Takitaki and cornerback Tyrek Funderburk to fill out the practice squad. Takitaki has significant experience, some of it starting experience, with the Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was with the Browns when the team selected Takitaki in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. From 2019-23, he played in 72 games, with 36 starts, for the Browns. Last year, he played in 11 games, with four starts, with the Patriots. With rookies Kobe King and Austin Keys behind starters Ivan Pace Jr. and Eric Wilson, Takitaki will provide some experienced linebacker depth. 

Hopefully, that’s the end of the injuries for the Vikings. One game and two players go to IR is no way to start a season.