Vikings get concerning update on star's injury status

Caleb Williams‘ 13-yard scramble included Cashman pulling up while giving chase. An Eden Prairie, Minnesota, native who played at the University of Minnesota, Cashman had been mostly a special-teamer until being called upon for regular defensive duty with the Texans in 2023. That garnered Cashman a nice FA market, and he signed a three-year, $22.5M deal. The Broncos, Falcons, Packers and Steelers also showed interest last year.

Blake Cashman is coming off a career season

Last season, Cashman started all 14 Vikings games he played. Working as a key part of Brian Flores‘ complex defense, Cashman established new career-high marks in tackles (112), tackles for loss (eight), QB hits (11) and sacks (4.5). Cashman also notched eight passes defensed, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ No. 22 overall ILB. The 29-year-old defender did miss time with turf toe, however, and he will almost definitely be down for the foreseeable future due to this hamstring malady.

Minnesota plugged veteran Eric Wilson into Cashman’s spot on defense, and while the team rallied back from a two-score deficit to score a Week 1 win in Chicago, Cashman’s absence will sting. The Vikings have sixth-round rookie Kobe King and rookie UDFA Austin Keys behind Wilson at ILB. Wilson, 30 this month, is a 39-game starter. Beginning his career with the Vikings under Mike Zimmer, Wilson has bounced around since. He spent the past three seasons in Green Bay, making 12 starts for last year’s Packers edition.