Tag: Blake Cashman

Blake Cashman’s impact on Vikings defense isn’t being appreciated enough

The Minnesota Vikings defense has had several special performances in 2024, none more impressive than Blake Cashman.

The Minnesota Vikings defense has had several special performances in 2024, none more impressive than Blake Cashman. He has missed two games in 2024, and the Vikings lost both of those games.

That isn’t a coincidence either as the Vikings Communications Team broke down just how special the former Golden Gopher is having a season.

Blake Cashman is one of four players in the NFL with at least 45 tackles, five passes defensed, and 2.0 sacks. The Vikings Communications Team also points out that Cashman has played in six games while the other four players have seen action in 10.

Not to be lost in the shuffle, Cashman is one of just two linebackers to do this in 2024, with the other being Brian Burns of the New York Giants. 

Cashman is on the injury report this week again but was a full participant in practice. His presence will be key to the rest of the Vikings season being a success or failure.

Vikings LB Blake Cashman is on the injury report again ahead of Week 11

Blake Cashman, who had missed two games this season with turf toe, was listed on the injury report on Wednesday.

The Minnesota Vikings’ first injury report of the week didn’t include anything too concerning or surprising. However, a name on the list was concerning, considering this player’s history and the fact that it was something new.

Blake Cashman, who had missed two games this season with turf toe, was listed on the injury report on Wednesday.

Cashman in his career has played just one full season, 2023, and we already have seen that 2024 will not be one regardless of this new injury. He was listed as a full-participant in prreactice but the team did discolse it was more of a walk through than an actual practice.

His designation on Thursday and Friday will be more telling as to what the significance of the injury is.

It isn’t looking this way but if he were to miss time then Ivan Pace Jr. would be the MIC again for the defense and Kamu Grugier-Hill would see more reps as well.

Kevin O’Connell provides injury updates on T.J. Hockenson and others

Here is the latest status on T.J. Hockenson and others ahead of Thursday Night Football.

It will be a short week for the Vikings. After taking their first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions, they will play on Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams.

Both star tight end T.J. Hockenson and veteran guard Dalton Risner have been practicing with the team since Minnesota opened up their practice windows. Kevin O’Connell wasn’t ready to commit to either of them playing against the Rams, but it sounds like it could be possible.

“Yeah, it’s early. We’ll make that determination these next couple days,” O’Connell said Monday. “Very much a possibility.”

Hockenson would be a big boost to Minnesota’s passing game to go along with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Risner, however, could fill a void at right guard. Ed Ingram has played poorly most of the season and Risner could slot in there.

In other news, Minnesota was without starting linebacker Blake Cashman against the Lions. Like the other two, O’Connell didn’t say if Cashman would be ready to go for Thursday, but he should be a go for the Colts in two weeks for sure.

“He’s progressing,” O’Connell said. “Coming along from that toe in a way where I don’t know if he’ll be available or not yet, as far as the estimations on his workload via the fact that we’re taking the tempo down on practices and the workload as we prep for Thursday. If we can have him, great. If not, I do feel very positive about the Colts game for sure. I’m not in a place yet to rule him out quite yet.”

Vikings LB Blake Cashman misses practice ahead of short Week 8

The Minnesota Vikings haven’t finished licking their wounds from their first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions.

The Minnesota Vikings haven’t finished licking their wounds from their first loss of the season against the Detroit Lions. However, they have to shift their focus to the Los Angeles Rams with whom they play on a short week.

The team published its first injury report of Week 8, and it was mostly positive. However, one injury that lingered in Week 7 is carrying over to Thursday’s matchup: Blake Cashman’s toe.

The veteran linebacker and major free agent signing this past offseason missed their matchup against the Lions with turf toe. In his absence, the Lions ran for 144 yards as a team instead of the usual 72 they were holding teams to when he played. His absence played a significant role in the defense bending more than normal against the Lions.

The Los Angeles Rams, led by running back Kyren Williams, are averaging 100 yards per game and 4 yards per rush. Without Cashman, the Vikings may allow the Rams to boost those season totals.

Blake Cashman and Akayleb Evans miss consecutive days of practice

For the Minnesota Vikings, one significant injury and another contributing player could be disastrous heading into the Lions game.

The Minnesota Vikings are a few days away from their biggest game of the season between themselves and the Detroit Lions. Not many things can ruin a team’s season, but injuries can certainly put one on the track to being that way.

For the Minnesota Vikings, one significant injury and another contributing player could be disastrous heading into the Lions game.

Blake Cashman, the team’s leading tackler, has missed the last two days of practice with a turf toe injury. Andrew Kramer with The Star Tribune reported earlier this week that he would miss the game, and it is more likely to be a reality. His absence could make a major difference as the team looks to stop Lions running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

Cornerback Akayleb Evans has also missed the last two days of practice with a hip injury. The defensive backs and their rotation have been very successful for the defense. Brian Flores could lose one of those critical contributors, which would cause the defense to run short-handed at two levels.

This will be a game where Brian Flores proves how well he can orchestrate this defense.

Vikings’ defensive starter in jeopardy of missing Lions game

The starting linebacker might not suit up against the Lions.

Andrew Kramer with The Star Tribune has reported that starting linebacker Blake Cashman is in jeopardy of missing Sunday’s game against the Lions with turf toe. There is also concern he could be out the following week against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.

Cashman is Minnesota’s leading tackler with 40 tackles. While it’s a big loss for the Vikings — assuming he doesn’t play — Minnesota did get Ivan Pace Jr. back from an injury. While Pace Jr. was out, the Vikings got solid play from backup Kamu Grugier-Hill. He had two interceptions when he got his opportunities.

Cashman has not played a full season since coming into the league in 2019. Injuries have nagged Cashnman, and while he hasn’t dealt with turf toe, it’s something to keep an eye on while he’s a Viking. Cashman did play 16 games for the Texans in 2022 and 14 in 2023.

Brian Flores has done a good job of scheming against the opposition this year, and even without Cashman, it’s hard to think Flores won’t have a game plan against the Lions.

ESPN recognizes Vikings strong offseason playing key role in start

The Minnesota Vikings and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have made free agency one of their key traits for team-building success.

The Minnesota Vikings and Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have made free agency one of their key traits for team-building success. The 2024 season starting as great as it has speaks to his and his staff’s eye for talent.

Those outside the building are recognizing that trait.

Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN discussed what offseason acquisitions are making the most significant impact for their teams, and the Vikings mentioned three players. Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Blake Cashman completely revamped this linebacker group for the Vikings. They made an impact in the first game and haven’t stopped since.

Constant pressures by Brian Flores with this group have the Vikings leading in this category. The other two can step up when one player gets out of the game. They are creating constant chaos, and it is reflected when you catch the opposing quarterback play.

This weekend, they will look to create more chaos in front of international fans as they face Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.

Vikings LB Blake Cashman expected back for Week 1 against Giants

The big free agent signing is expected to be ready to play against the New York Giants.

The Vikings have had their unfortunate share of injuries this preseason. Outside of the season-ending injuries to J.J. McCarthy and Mekhi Blackmon, the Vikings have had to deal with injuries to key players such as Shaq Griffin and Blake Cashman.

Luckily, according to Alec Lewis with The Athletic, it appears Cashman will be ready to go for Week 1 against the New York Giants.

“Injured his finger a couple of weeks ago in Cleveland, but he should be back and playing alongside Pace with the starting unit in Week 1 in New York,” Lewis said.

Minnesota made Cashman a priority this offseason after allowing veteran linebacker Jordan Hicks to walk away. The Vikings now have a pair of young linebackers they can build around for a while with Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr.

Cashman is entering his sixth NFL season and the first with the Vikings. The former fifth-round pick had his best season with the Houston Texans a year ago. Cashman had 106 tackles, nine tackles for loss, and one interception for the Texans’ defense.

Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell gives injury update on CB Shaq Griffin

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided the media with an injury update on cornerback Shaq Griffin after Thursday’s practice.

A day after receiving a slew of bad news on the injury front, the Minnesota Vikings followed it up with a day of much-needed good news. Yesterday, both Jordan Addison and Blake Cashman were injured in practices with the Cleveland Browns, and Minnesota learned that rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy was out for the season after knee surgery.

Thursday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell was able to give the media and Vikings fans some good news, instead. Along with the news that Addison had avoided major injury and that Cashman would be back soon after getting surgery on his finger, O’Connell also provided an update on injured cornerback Shaq Griffin.

Griffin suffered a leg injury three weeks ago during practice and was later determined to have a “soft tissue” injury. That injury occurred just a day after fellow cornerback Mekhi Blackmon was lost for the season with a torn ACL, so getting good news on this front is desperately needed. Minnesota was already thin at the position. They could hardly stand to be without one of their starters to begin the season.

That won’t be the case, as O’Connell updated his injury status, saying Griffin will be ready for the start of the season.

Vikings LB Blake Cashman injures finger, undergoes procedure

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell provided an update on the injury to linebacker Blake Cashman

Wednesday was a no good, very bad day for the Minnesota Vikings and their fans. First, they were greeted with the news that rookie first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy would not see the field at all this season after surgery to repair his meniscus.

Things went from bad to worse, as just hours after the McCarthy news broke, another injury crossed the wire. Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison had been hurt during the team’s joint practice with the Cleveland Browns and needed the cart to take him off the field.

Finally, as if two bits of injury news weren’t enough, the Vikings completed the injury trifecta by announcing that linebacker Blake Cashman had suffered a finger injury that required surgery.

Fortunately for the team and fans, Thursday brought some good news. Head coach Kevin O’Connell gave some injury updates after practice and informed fans and the media that both Addison and Cashman had avoided major injuries.

Cashman did indeed need surgery, but O’Connell was dodgy in his statements about the injury. Surgery would seem to imply a broken finger, but it wasn’t outright stated. O’Connell seemed unsure when the injury occurred, as Cashman finished yesterday’s practice out with the injury.

Regardless of when it happened or what the specific injury is, O’Connell let everyone know that the prognosis is good, saying: “He (Cashman) had a little procedure done. As soon as that procedure, stitches, and things heal up, Blake will be good to go.” A bit of good news when the team could desperately use some.